Ear & Auditory Canal Flashcards
What are the two parts of the external ear?
Cartilaginous auricle
Cartilaginous & bony canal = external acoustic meatus
What is the function of the external ear?
To capture and funnel/transmit sound to the external acoustic meatus
Where is the external acoustic meatus housed?
In the tympanic part of the temporal bone
What is the boundary between the external and middle ear?
Tympanic membrane
What attaches the tympanic membrane to the temporal bone?
A fibrocartilaginous ring
Which of the ossicles attaches to the tympanic membrane?
Handle of the malleus
What are the two parts of the middle ear?
Tympanic cavity
Epitympanic recess
Where is the tympanic cavity?
In the petrous part of the temporal bone
What is the function of the middle ear?
To transmit sound as a vibration via the ossicles
How does the tympanic cavity communicate with the nasopharynx?
Via the pharyngotympanic tube (aka Eustachian tube)
What are the boundaries of the middle ear?
Roof
Floor
Lateral wall
Posterior wall
Anterior wall
Labyrinthine / medial wall
What is beneath the floor of the tympanic cavity?
Mastoid air cells
IJV
Which nerve enters the tympanic cavity through its floor?
CN IX (tympanic branch)
What is found on the lateral wall of the tympanic cavity?
Tympanic membrane & epitympanic recess
Which nerve runs through the middle ear via the posterior wall?
CN VII (via nervus intermedius to chorda tympani)
What does the chorda tympani do?
Innervates taste to the anterior 2/3rds of the tongue
What are the three ossicle bones?
Malleus (hammer)
Incus (anvil)
Stapes (stirrup)
What type of joint exists between the ossicles?
Synovial joints
Which of these ossicles is the
(A) Malleus
(B) Incus
(C) Stapes
Dont label individual parts
What are the two muscles of the middle ear?
Tensor tympani
Stapedius
What does the tensor tympani muscle do?
Reduces vibration of the tympanic membrane.
What does the tensor tympani articulate with?
Handle of the malleus
Which nerve innervates the tensor tympani?
CN V (3 - Mandibular)
Which nerve innervates the stapedius?
Facial nerve proper (CN VII)
What does the stapedius muscle articulate with?
Neck of the stapes
What does the stapedius do?
Reduces vibration of the stapes of the oval window
What is the function of the pharyngotympanic tube?
To equalise pressure in the middle ear and the external environment (via the nasopharynx)
What is the name of the manoeuvre done to equalise pressure in the ears?
Valsava manoeuvre
What is the pharyngotympanic tube made of?
1/3 bone (proximally to tympanic cavity)
2/3 cartilage (distal)
What is the inner ear made of?
Bony cavities and membranous ducts
Where does the inner ear communicate with the posterior cranial fossa?
Via the internal acoustic meatus
What is the function of the inner ear?
Converts mechanical sound into electrical
AND
Converts movement (via mechanical stimulus) into electrical signals
Which nerves pass through the internal acoustic meatus?
VII & VIII
What is the inner ear made of?
Bony labyrinth
Membranous labyrinth
What does the bony labyrinth contain?
Perilymph
What does the membranous labyrinth contain?
Endolymph
What are the three parts of the inner ear?
The vestibule
Cochlea
Semicircular canals
What does the cochlea do?
Converts sound waves to electrical impulses