Chapter 9/10 Flashcards
What is the purpose of the ear?
The ear as a transducer that changes acoustic energy into electrochemical energy (sound-mechanical-electrical)
Pinna
A collector of sound energy, cartilage, covered with epithelial tissue with fine hair, helps with localization, resonating cavity, funnels sound into ME
Concha
Deepest depression
Helix
Rim-like ridge surrounding pinna
Antihelix
Runs inside the helix
Tragus
cartilage on anterior wall
Antitragus
Opposite of the tragus, bottom ridge on concha
External Auditory Meatus (Ear Canal)
7 mm diameter, 2.5 cm length, resonating cavity, lateral 1/3 cartilage, medial 2/3 bon meatus, s shaped, lined with hair in outer 1/3, secretes cerumen
Tympanic membrane
Eardrum, sits with a tilt, 3 layers (epithlial, fibrus, mucous), separates OE from ME, can see the beginning of the ossicles
What is acoustic energy?
The disturbance of energy which passes through a material in the form of waves (through any medium)
What happens in the ossicles?
The acoustic energy is transferred into mechanical energy
What are the most important muscles in the ME?
Tensor Tympani Muscle, Stapedius muscle
Malleus
largest, attaches to Tm
Incus
connects malleus and stapes, saddle joint
Stapes
connects the oval window, smallest
What is the purpose of the ossicular chain?
To transmit acoustic energy across the bones from the TM to the inner ear
Is the ME filed with air?
Yes
What is the ME function?
To increase the pressure appreaching the cochlear (impedence)/match the impedence of the 2 systems (OE and cochlea)