Auditory System Flashcards
What is sound?
The displacement of air particles following a sinusoidal pattern of compression and rarefacation
What are the components of the auditory system?
Outer Ear- air
Middle Ear- air
Inner Ear- fluid
Central Auditory Pathways
What does the outer ear consist of?
Pinna
Ear Canal
Tympanic membrane
What is the pinna made up of?
Cartilage
What is the pinna formed from?
Pharyngeal arches 1 & 2 ( 6x Hillocks of His)
What weeks does the pinna form between in utero?
10th to 18th week
What is the function of the Pinna?
Directs soundwaves towards ear canal
What is the ear canal made from?
1/3 cartilage & 2/3 bone
What bones make up the middle ear?
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
What muscles make up the middle ear?
Tensor Tympani
Stapedius
What tube is in the middle ear?
Eustachian Tube
What is the role of the middle ear?
Acoustic impedance match between air and fluid- filled inner ear
What is the role of the muscles in the middle ear?
Protection of the inner ear from acoustic trauma
Stiffens the ossciular chain
Stapedius stimulated acoustically
What is the role of the eustachian tube?
Ventillation of the middle ear space
Drainage of secretions
What is the vestibulocochlear apparatus?
A set of fluid filled sacs, encased in bone