Ear Flashcards
What are the functions of the ear? (2)
- Hearing
2. Balance
Where is the ear located? What is the exception?
- In temporal bone
2. Apart from cartilaginous auditory tube which is in a groove along the petrosphenoidal suture
What are the 4 components of the ear?
- External ear
- Eardrum (tympanic membrane)
- Middle ear (tympanic cavity)
- Inner ear
What does the inner ear consist of? (3)
- Cochlea
- Vestibule
- Semicircular canals
What is the function of the external ear?
Collection of mechanical sound and vibrations
What is the function of the eardrum? (2)
- Transmission
2. Amplification
What is the function of the middle ear?
- Transmission
2. Amplification
What is the function of the inner ear?
Sensation
How long is the external acoustic canal?
24 mm
What is the lateral 1/3 of the external acoustic canal comprised of?
Cartilaginous substances
What is the medial 2/3 of the external acoustic canal consist of?
Bone
What glands exist in the external acoustic canal? What do these glands produce?
Ceruminous glands
Wax
How is the external acoustic canal oriented?
Medial and slightly slanted anteriorly
What is the shape of the tympanic membrane?
Elliptical, lateral surface concave
What is the tympanic membrane comprised of externally?
Skin
What is the tympanic membrane comprised of internally?
Mucosa
What is the tympanic membrane?
A thickened edge
Where does the tympanic ring fit?
Into tympanic groove in temporal bone
What attaches to the inner surface of the tympanic membrane?
Handle of malleus
What is above and below the eardrum (tympanic membrane) respectively?
Pars flacida
Pars tensa
What is the bottom of handle of malleus? What is it a point of?
Umbo
Point of maximum convexity if viewed from middle ear
How is the middle ear/tympanic cavity oriented?
It is directed anteromedial to psoterolateral length about 15mm, width about 4-6mm
What is the middle ear/tympanic cavity lined with? What is it filled with?
Respiratory mucosa
Air
What does the lateral wall of the middle ear include?
Tympanic membrane
What does the anterior wall of the middle ear include?
Auditory tube
Where does the tensor tympani run?
Tensor tympanic runs in a canal above auditory tube and bends to run along the medial wall.
What does the posterior wall of the middle ear contain?
Epitympanic recess into aditus –> mastoid antrum –> aircells
Where does the facial nerve branch to form the chorda tympani?
Behind the posterior wall of the middle ear.
Where does the facial nerve turn inferiorly?
At aditus
What emerges at the pyramid of the posterior wall?
Tendon of stapedius
What is the roof of the middle ear/tympanic cavity?
Tegmum typani
What is the tegmum tympani?
Thin bone separating middle ear from middle cranial fossa
Where is the tegmum tympani located in relation to the arcuate eminence?
Anterolateral to arcuate eminence on the floor of the middle cranial fossa.
What is the floor of the middle ear/tympanic cavity comprised of? What does it cover?
Thin bone covering jugular fossa/foramen
What is the medial wall of the middle ear/tympanic cavity adjacent to?
Inner ear