Ear

Question 1

Pinna (Auricle)

Answer 1

The visible part of the outer ear that collects sound waves and directs them into the auditory canal.

Question 2

Auditory (ear) Canal

Answer 2

A tube leading from the pinna to the tympanic membrane; channels sound waves toward the eardrum.

Question 3

Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)

Answer 3

A thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves, transmitting vibrations to the ossicles in the middle ear.

Question 4

Ossicles

Answer 4

Three tiny bones in the middle ear malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup) that amplify and transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Question 5

Cochlea

Answer 5

A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into electrical impulses sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

Question 6

Semicircular Canals

Answer 6

Three looped structures in the inner ear involved in maintaining balance and detecting rotational movements of the head.

Question 7

Eustachian Tube

Answer 7

A canal connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx; helps equalize air pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

Question 8

Organ of Corti

Answer 8

The sensory organ located within the cochlea that contains hair cells, which transduce mechanical sound vibrations into nerve impulses.

Question 9

Equilibrium

Answer 9

Refers to a state of homeostasis - detect movement and balance

Question 10

Utricle

Answer 10

this is the larger of the two sacs. The utricle detects linear accelerations and head tilts in the horizontal plane, such as when you’re moving forward in a car.

Question 11

Saccule

Answer 11

Smaller and globular in shape, the saccule lies near the cochlea. It detects linear accelerations and head tilts in the vertical plane, like when you’re moving up or down in an elevator.