27 - Ear Flashcards
Where is the internal meatus located?
Petrous part of the temporal bone
Where is the external acoustic meatus located?
Lateral to the carotid canal
What makes up the external ear?
- auricle
- external acoustic meatus
- tympanic membrane
What makes up the middle ear?
- tympanic cavity
- malleus, incus and stapes
- tensor tympani, stapedius
- auditory tube
What makes up the inner ear?
- vestibule
- semicircular canals
- cochlea
How do the ossicles transmit sound?
Mechanically by vibrations
Describe the auricle.
- elastic cartilage
- funnels sound into the external acoustic meatus
- helix, tragus and lobule are notable cartilaginous structures
What is the sensory innervation of the auricle?
- great auricular
- auriculotemporal
Describe the external acoustic meatus.
- 2.5cm in length
- cartilaginous lateral 1/3, bony medial 2/3
- stratified squamous epithelium that contains ceruminous glands that secrete ear wax
Describe the tympanic membrane.
- held by a fibrocartilaginous ring
- at an angle facing downwards and anteriorly
- 1cm in diameter
- attached to the handle of the malleus, this forms the umbo
What is the cone of light?
Reflection of the otoscope indicating a healthy middle ear
What is the function of the middle ear muscles?
- dampen vibrations (protective)
- reduce movement of the ossicles
What is the attachment and action of the tensor tympani?
- attaches to malleus and pulls the tympanic membrane taught
- this reduces amplification of loud sounds
What is the innervation of tensor tympani?
CN V3
What is the innervation of stapedius?
CN VII