Anatomy and Physiology of the Ear Flashcards
Parts of the ear
External
Middle
Inner
What makes up the external ear?
Pinna / auricle
External auditory canal
What epithelium is on the pinna?
Stratified keratinised epithelium - skin
What is the pinna made up from?
Elastic cartilage
How long is the external ear canal in adults?
4cm
What is the later 1/3rd of the external ear canal made up from?
Skin and cartilage
What does the skin of the external ear canal contain? What is the function of this?
Cerminous and sebaceous gland. They produce wax
Thick hairs on the outside, becoming thinner on the inside
Function of the external ear canal
Protective barrier
Disinfectant
What is the medial 1/3rd of the ear made up from?
Skin and bone
Does the medial 1/3rd of the ear produce wax?
No
Does the medial 1/3rd of the ear have hairs or cilia?
No
What is a feature of the growth of the skin of the external ear canal?
Constantly being shed and renewed
Grows from the umbo of the tympanic membrane outwards
Shed in the lateral 1/3rd of ear canal and trapped in wax as part of a cleaning mechanism
Is the human pinna good at sound localisation?
No
What are the 3 layers of the tympanic membrane?
Outer layer
- continuous with skin of EAC
Middle fibrous layer
Inner layer of respiratory epithelium
What is the inner layer of respiratory epithelium?
Ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells
What is the diameter of the tympanic membrane?
1cm
How thick is the tympanic membrane?
1/10th of a millimetre
Function of the ossicles
Conduct sound waves from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear
What can cause disruption to the sound conduction via the ossicles?
Trauma
Bony sclerosis
What is the middle ear lined with?
Continous respiratory epithelium that forms the inner layer of the tympanic membrane