Ear Anatomy and Embryology Flashcards
What is the function of the auricle?
Collect and funnel soundwaves towards the EAM
What are the cartilages which make up the auricle?
Helix, antihelix, and tragus
What are the external features of the auricle?
Concha and scaphoid fossa
What is the blood supply to the auricle (2)?
Superficial temporal and posterior auricular aa. and vv.
What is the sensory innervation of the auricle (5)?
Lesser occiptal (C2,3), great auricular (C2,3), auriculotemporal (V3), facial (VII), and vagus (X) nn.
What is epithelium which lines the EAM and what is the external acoustic canal composed of?
Lined by stratified squamous epithelium. Lateral 1/3 is cartilaginous and medial 2/3 is bony.
What is the blood supply of the EAM (3)?
Superficial temporal a.v., posterior auricular a.v., and deep auricular a.
What is the innervation of the EAM (2)?
Auriculotemporal (V3) and vagus (X) nn.
What is the lymphatic drainage of the EAM?
deep cervical nodes
What is the function of the tympanic membrane (3)?
Convert sound waves into vibrations of the middle ear ossicles. Amplifies sound waves via the ossicles and protects against loud sounds via the stapedius and tensor tympani mm.
What does the auricle derive from embryologically?
The mesenchyme of the 1st and 2nd pharyngeal arches. Specficially, 6 auricular hillocks will form the definitive auricle.
Auricular defects are commonly associated with what syndromes?
Chromosomal
What embryonic structure forms the EAM?
The 1st pharyngeal cleft
What is the meatal plug and what happens if it fails to degenerate?
The meatul plug is a proliferation of epithelium which occludes the EAM. It degenerates around month 7. If it fails to degenerate it will lead to deafness.
What embryonic structure forms the tympanic membrane?
The external epithelium of the tympanic membrane develops from the endoderm of the 1st cleft. The middle CT of the tympanic membrane forms the mesoderm of the 1st arch. The internal epithelium forms from the endoderm of the 1st pouch.
What forms the roof of the tympanic cavity?
Tegmen tympani of the temporal bone separates the epitympanic recess and the middle cranial fossa.
What forms the floor of the tympanic cavity?
A thin portion of the temporal bone separating the tympanic cavity form the internal jugular vein.
What forms the lateral wall of the tympanic cavity?
Tympanic membrane
What forms the medial wall of the tympanic cavity? What 3 features are found here?
A bony wall separating the inner and middle ear. The oval window which contacts the stapes and opens to the vestibule of the inner ear. The promontory represents the mound of bone formed by the cochlea. The round window acts as a release valve for maintaining the pressure of the fluids of the inner ear, opens to scala tympani.