1 - Anatomy & Physiology of Middle Ear Flashcards
The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear with the __________.
Nasopharynx
What is the middle ear filled with?
Air
What is the largest part of the tympanic membrane?
The pars tensa
How many parts does the pars tensa have?
3
Describe the pars tensa
4
Tense
Vibrates in response to sound
Has a blood supply
Is innervated
What is the densest part of the tympanic membrane?
Pars flaccida
Which is less tense: the pars tensa or the pars flaccida?
The pars flaccida
What is the function of the tympanic membrane?
To transduce sound pressure into mechanical vibrations
Name the three ossicles
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
What is the extension of the malleus that connects to the tympanic membrane?
Manubrium
What is the name of the center of the tympanic membrane where the Manubrium attaches?
Umbo
What does the head of the malleus connect to?
The head of the incus
What are the two middle ear muscles?
Stapedius muscle
Tensor Tympani
What is the smallest human muscle?
Stapedius muscle
Where does the stapedius muscle attach?
Attaches to the head of the stapes
Where does the tensor tympani muscle attach?
To the upper part of the manubrium
To what does the tensor tympani muscle run parallel to?
The Eustachian Tube
What is unique about the middle ear muscles?
The are totally encased in bone.
Only their tendons are exposed to attach to the ossicles
What is the function of the middle ear muscles?
Act in concert to modify the ossicles’ alignment
Provide protection from loud sounds
Provide amplification for soft sounds
What happens to the middle ear muscles during sustained long sounds?
They tense up so that less pressure is being applied to the oval window
What is the dynamic range of hearing?
From the threshold of hearing (softest sound you can detect) to the threshold of pain (loudest sound you can comfortably tolerate)