ear Flashcards
what are the two functions of the ear?
equilibrium and hearing
detecting position of head and coordinating movement
equilibrium (balance)
detecting sound waves and converting them into nerve impulses
hearing (audition)
outer mass of tissue
function: collects sound waves and directs them into the auditory canal
auricle (pinna)
between auricle and tympanic membrane
function: directs sound waves to the tympanic membrane
external acoustic meatus
function: moves/vibrates the auditory ossicles when sounds vibrate this
- makes up the lateral portion of the middle ear (external boundary)
tympanic membrane (eardrum)
what structures make up the outer ear?
auricle, external acoustic meatus, and tympanic membrane
make up the medial portion of the middle ear (internal boundary)
oval window and round window
ear bones (malleus, incus, stapes)
function: transmit and amplify vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear
auditory ossicles
connects with oval window and the inner ear
stapes
where sound waves are transmitted to the inner ear
oval window
connects middle ear with nasopharynx
function: equalize pressure in the middle ear
auditory (eustachian) tube
- fill up with fluids/pus
- eardrum bulges forward
- infection may travel from throat to middle ear or vice versa via the auditory tube
otitis media (middle ear infection)
when an airplane descends to a lower altitude, you may feel greater pressure in your ears, followed by a “popping” sensation, before normal pressure resumes. what happens anatomically?
helps equalize pressure in the middle ear by opening the auditory tube
what structures make up the middle ear?
auditory ossicles and auditory eustachian tube
spaces/cavities inside temporal bone
bony labyrinth
membranous sacs/tubes that rest inside the bony labyrinth
membranous labyrinth
fluid between the bony and membranous labyrinth
- inside the bony part and outside the membranous part
- the membranous labyrinth “floats” in this
- chemically similar to CSF
perilymph