ear

Question 1

What is the function of the pinna (auricle)?

Answer 1

It collects sound waves and funnels them into the external auditory meatus.

Question 2

Where does the external auditory meatus terminate?

Answer 2

At the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Question 3

What is the tympanic membrane responsible for?

Answer 3

Converting sound waves traveling in the air into mechanical motion.

Question 4

What is the function of the ossicles?

Answer 4

They amplify the mechanical motion of the tympanic membrane and transfer it to the inner ear.

Question 5

What are the three auditory ossicles?

Answer 5

Malleus (hammer), Incus (anvil), and Stapes (stirrup).

Question 6

What fluid fills the osseous labyrinth?

Answer 6

Perilymph.

Question 7

What fluid fills the membranous labyrinth?

Answer 7

Endolymph.

Question 8

What is the cochlear duct filled with?

Answer 8

Endolymph.

Question 9

What is the role of the Organ of Corti?

Answer 9

It houses hair cells that bend against the tectorial membrane to generate action potentials for hearing.

Question 10

How is pitch determined in the cochlea?

Answer 10

High pitch activates hair cells near the cochlear base, while low pitch activates those near the apex.

Question 11

What is the function of the semicircular canals?

Answer 11

To detect rotational movement and maintain dynamic equilibrium.

Question 12

What are otoliths, and what is their role?

Answer 12

Otoliths are calcium crystals in the otolithic membrane that shift with head movement, bending hair cells to detect linear acceleration.

Question 13

What is conductive hearing loss?

Answer 13

An inability to transfer sound to the inner ear, often due to damage to the tympanic membrane or ossicles.

Question 13

What is sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 13

Hearing loss due to damage to hair cells or the auditory nerve, often treated with cochlear implants.

Question 14

What is tinnitus?

Answer 14

Phantom ringing in the ears, often caused by nerve damage or irritation.

Question 15

What is the role of the vestibule?

Answer 15

To detect linear acceleration and head position through the utricle and saccule.

Question 16

What is the function of the Eustachian tube?

Answer 16

To keep air pressure in the middle ear in equilibrium with the external environment.

Question 17

What is the vestibular apparatus?

Answer 17

The vestibular apparatus is part of the inner ear that helps detect balance, body position, and movemen

Question 18

What type of movement do the semicircular canals detect?

Answer 18

The semicircular canals detect dynamic equilibrium, meaning rotational movements of the head or body

Question 19

What is the crista ampullaris, and where is it located?

Answer 19

The crista ampullaris is a sensory structure located in the semicircular canals that detects rotational movement.

Question 20

What is the cupula?

Answer 20

The cupula is a gel-like structure covering the hair cells in the crista ampullaris. It bends in response to fluid movement in the semicircular canals, initiating signals for the brain.

Question 21

How do the semicircular canals detect rotation?

Answer 21

When the head rotates, the endolymph in the semicircular canals moves, pushing the cupula, which bends the hair cells and creates nerve signals.

Question 22

What type of movements does the vestibule detect?

Answer 22

The vestibule detects static equilibrium (body’s stationary position) and linear movements (e.g., moving forward or up and down)

Question 23

What are the utricle and saccule, and what do they detect?

Answer 23

Utricle: Detects horizontal movements (e.g., walking forward or sideways).
Saccule: Detects vertical movements (e.g., standing up or riding in an elevator).

Question 24

What is the macula, and where is it found?

Answer 24

The macula is a sensory structure in the utricle and saccule that detects movement and position by responding to the shifting otolithic membrane

Question 25

What is the otolithic membrane, and what is its function?

Answer 25

The otolithic membrane is a gel-like structure that covers the macula. It shifts with movement, bending hair cells to signal the brain

Question 27

What are otoliths, and what is their role?

Answer 27

Otoliths are tiny calcium carbonate crystals embedded in the otolithic membrane. They add weight to the membrane, enhancing sensitivity to movement.