6.2 The ear: structure and components function

Question 1

External ear function

Answer 1

Visible portion of the ear (pinna), guides sound waves into the ear, passing them into the auditory canal

Question 2

Ear canal/auditory function

Answer 2

The channel which sound waves pass down from the external ear, before being turned into vibrations at the ear drum

Question 3

Eardrum function

Answer 3

AKA tympanic membrane- thin flap of skin that us stretched over the entrance to the middle of the ear, sound waves cause is to vibrate

Question 4

Hammer (malleus) function

Answer 4

First bone of the ear bones, joined to the eardrum. It transfers and amplifies the vibrations from the eardrum

Question 5

Anvil (Incus) function

Answer 5

The middle of the three ear bones, it transfers and amplifies the vibrations from the eardrum

Question 6

Stirrup (stapes) attached to oval window function

Answer 6

The innermost ear bone, joined to the cochlear via the oval window. It transfers and amplifies the vibrations from the eardrum

Question 7

Cochlear function

Answer 7

A fluid filled coiled structure within the inner ear, responsible for both hearing. Lined with hairs to detect changes in fluid

Question 8

Oval window and round window function

Answer 8

Round window + oval= decompresses the acoustic energy in the cochlear. Oval window vibrates in, round window vibrates out.
Oval window- Where vibrations enter the cochlear, passed from the ear bones- a membrane covered opening from the stirrup to the cochlear

Question 9

Auditory nerve function

Answer 9

Thick bundle of nerve fibres which take auditory information to the brain

Question 10

Vestibular nerve function

Answer 10

Thick bundle of nerve fibres which takes information about our balance and sense of orientation to the brain

Question 11

Organ of Corti function

Answer 11

Receptors which turn the vibrations in the fluid of the cochlear into electrical signals to be taken to the brain

Question 12

Semi-circular Canals function

Answer 12

Three fluid filled tubes within the inner-ear responsible for detecting head rotation, direction, and orientation. Lined with hairs to detect changes in the fluid

Question 13

Ampulla function

Answer 13

Tiny receptors within the semi-circular canals that detect motion or rotation and turn this into electrical signals to be taken to the brain

Question 14

Middle ear function

Answer 14

Part of the ear where the ear bones and eustachian tube are located

Question 15

Inner ear function

Answer 15

Part of the ear containing the cochlear and nerves taking information to the brain