😔 Flashcards
What are the two main functions of the ear?
Equilibrium and hearing
What are the three major parts of the ear?
External ear, middle ear, internal ear
What is the role of the external ear?
Receives sound waves
How are sound waves transmitted in the middle ear?
From air to fluids of the internal ear via small bones
What does the internal ear transduce fluid movements into?
Nerve impulses
What separates the external acoustic meatus from the middle ear?
Tympanic membrane
What are the components of the external ear?
Auricle (pinna) and external acoustic meatus (ear canal)
What is the structure of the auricle?
Thin plate of elastic cartilage covered by true skin
What features are present in the skin of the auricle?
Hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands
What lines the external acoustic meatus?
Skin
What is the composition of the wall of the external acoustic meatus?
Elastic cartilage (outer part) and bone (inner part)
What do ceruminous glands secrete?
Ear wax
The tympanic membrane is also known as the _______.
Eardrum
What are the two branches of the acoustic nerve?
Vestibular branch and cochlear branch
True or False: The auricle is made entirely of bone.
False
What is the primary function of the vestibular organ in the internal ear?
Maintain equilibrium
What is the role of the cochlea in the ear?
Auditory organ
What does the tympanic membrane separate?
External acoustic meatus from the middle ear
What is the otolith membrane also known as?
Membrana statoconiorum
It is involved in balance and spatial orientation.
What types of cells are found in the otolith membrane?
- Hair cells
- Supporting cells
- Endings of the vestibular branch of the eighth cranial nerve
These components are crucial for detecting changes in head position.
What is the organ of Corti responsible for?
Detecting sound vibrations of different frequencies
It is located within the cochlea.
What are the main components of the organ of Corti?
- Hair cells
- Other epithelial structures
- Basilar membrane
These structures work together to convert sound waves into neural signals.
What covers the cells of the spiral organ from above?
Membrana tectoria
This gelatinous mass plays a role in the mechanical function of hearing.
What is the triangular cavity enclosed by the cells of the spiral organ called?
Tunnel of Corti (or antriculum internum)
It is critical for the organization of hair cells.
Where does the base of the tunnel of Corti lie?
Over the basilar membrane
This positioning is essential for the function of the organ of Corti.
What forms the inner wall of the tunnel of Corti?
Internal rod cells
These cells help maintain the structure of the tunnel.
What forms the outer wall of the tunnel of Corti?
External rod cells
They assist in supporting the overall structure of the organ of Corti.
How many types of hair cells are in the organ of Corti?
Two types
The types are inner hair cells and outer hair cells.
What is the function of the inner hair cells?
Primarily responsible for transmitting auditory information to the brain
They play a critical role in hearing perception.
What is the role of outer hair cells in the organ of Corti?
Amplifying sound vibrations
They enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of hearing.
