Anatomy of the Ear Flashcards
What is the ear?
The organ of hearing and balance
Where is the ear found?
Within the petrous part of the temporal bone
What does the petrous part of the temporal bone constitute?
\A large portion of the lateral area of the skull
What does the petrous part of the temporal bone house?
The cavities of the ear
What are the components of the temporal bone?
- Squamous part
- Petromastoid part
- Tympanic plate
- Styloid process
What does the petromastoid part of the temporal bone contain?
The middle and inner ear
What does the upper surface of the petromastoid part of the bone form?
Part of the floor of the middle and posterior cranial fossae
What is the part of the petromastoid part that forms the posterior cranial fossa is pierced by?
The internal acoustic meatus
What does the internal acoustic meatus transmit?
Facial and vestibulocochlear cranial nerves
Describe the inferior surface of the petromastoid part of the temporal bone?
Irregular
What does the inferior surface of the petromastoid part of the temporal bone contain?
The carotid canal
What is the purpose of the carotid canal?
Transmits the internal carotid artery
What is the mastoid process?
A large palpable landmark to which several muscles are attachedf
What is the cavity of the mastoid antrum?
A prolongation of the cavity of the middle ear
What extends into the mastoid process?
The cavity of the mastoid antrum, by intercommunicating air cells
What is the clinical significance of the communication between the mastoid antrum and the mastoid process?
Middle ear disease can spread by this route to cause mastoiditis
What does the tympanic plate consist?
Most of the external acoustic meatus
What does the free outer border of the tympanic plate do?
Provides attachment for the cartilage of the external ear
What does the tympanic plate do medially?
Fuses with the petrous part of the temporal bone
What does the external ear consist of?
- Pinna/auricle
- External acoustic meatus (ear canal)
- Lateral surface of tympanic membrane
What is the functional of the external ear?
Collects, transmits, and focuses sound waves onto the tympanic membrane
What does the action of the external ear on the tympanic membrane cause?
The membrane to vibrate
Draw a picture of the pinna/auricle
Describe the pinna
Cartilaginous and covered with skin
What is true of the elastic cartilages of the pinna?
They are arranged in a number of curved ridges
What is the outer rim of the ear called?
The helix
What is the small flap of cartilage of the ear called?
The tragus
What does the tragus do?
Guards the external acoustic meatus
What is the earlobe?
A fatty structure
What is the external acoustic meatus?
A skin-lined cul-de-sac
What shape is the external acoustic meatus?
Sigmoid shape
What is the clinical relevance of the sigmoid shape of the external acoustic meatus?
Need to pull ear up and back to straighten when examining
How long is the external acoustic meatus?
2.5cm
Describe the external acoustic meatus
- Outer 1/3 cartilaginous tube
- Inner 2/3 bony canal
Where does the external acoustic meatus lie?
In the temporal bone
What is the external acoustic meatus lined by?
Skin
What is the purpose of the self cleaning function of the external acoustic meatus?
Keep pathway clear
What facilitates the self cleaning function of external acoustic meatus?
Arrangement of hairs and production of wax by the cartilaginous part