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LR ENT > Ear & Taste Anatomy > Flashcards

Ear & Taste Anatomy Flashcards

(83 cards)

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1
Q

Name the 5 foraminae in the temporal bone

A
  • External acoustic meatus
  • Internal acoustic meatus
  • Stylomastoid foramen
  • Petrotympanic fissure
  • Extracranial opening of carotid canal
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2
Q

What 2 structures make up the external ear?

A
  • Pinna (auricle)

- External acoustic meatus (ear canal)

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3
Q

What is the pinna of the external ear formed from?

A

Avascular elastic cartilage

so nutrients are gained from the skin

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4
Q

What is the function of the pinna?

A

To collect soundwaves and funnel them into the external acoustic meatus

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5
Q

The lateral 1/3rd of the external acoustic meatus is formed by…
A. Cartilage
B. Bone

A

A. Cartilage

The medial 2/3rds are formed by bone (the petrous part of the temporal bone)

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6
Q

Which cells in the epithelial lining of the external acoustic meatus produce earwax?

A

Ceruminous glands

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7
Q

What structure marks the medial end of the external acoustic meatus?

A

The tympanic membrane

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8
Q

Which spinal nerves supply the majority of the pinna of the external ear?

A

C2 and C3

via the lesser occipital and greater auricular nerves

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9
Q

Which nerve supplies the superior external acoustic meatus and most of the tympanic membrane?

A

CN V3

via the auriculotemporal nerve

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10
Q

Which nerve supplies the inferior external acoustic meatus and part of the tympanic membrane?

A

CN X - the vagus nerve

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11
Q

When using an otoscope to look in the ear, what direction should you pull the pinna in…
-An adult
-A child
?

A

Adults: posterosuperiorly (as the EAM is curved)

Children: posteroinferiorly (as the EAM is short and straight)

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12
Q

Name the thin part of the tympanic membrane

Is it superior or posterior?

A

Pars flaccida

Superior

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13
Q

Name the thick part of the tympanic membrane

Is it superior or posterior?

A

Pars tensa

Posteroinferior

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14
Q

What is the function of the middle ear?

A

To conduct soundwaves from the external ear through the tympanic cavity and towards the inner ear

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15
Q

Name the auditory ossicles of the middle ear

A

Malleus
Incus
Stapes

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16
Q

The auditory ossicles decrease in size from lateral to medial. This helps to…

A

Amplify sound

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17
Q

What type of joint connects the auditory ossicles?

A

Synovial joints

malleoincal and stapeoincal

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18
Q

What does the footplate of stapes connect to?

A

The oval window of the optic capsule of the inner ear

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19
Q

The middle ear is found in the tympanic cavity. Name the 2 parts of the tympanic cavity

A

Epitympanic recess (superior to tympanic membrane)

Tympanic cavity proper

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20
Q

Which nerve delivers sensory information to the mucosa lining the tympanic cavity?

A

CN IX - the glossopharyngeal nerve

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21
Q

Name the 2 muscles of the tympanic cavity

A

Tensor tympani

Stapedius

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22
Q

Tensor tympani:
Which auditory ossicle does it insert onto?
What nerve innervates it?

A
  • Malleus (runs from cartilaginous portion of eustachian tube to handle of malleus)
  • CN V3 (mandibular division of trigeminal)
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23
Q

Stapedius:
Which auditory ossicle does it insert onto?
What nerve innervates it?

A
  • Stapes (runs from the pyramidal eminence to the neck of stapes)
  • CN VII (facial nerve)
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24
Q

What is the function of…
-Tensor tympani
- Stapedius
?

A
  • Tensor tympani: dampens sound by reducing vibrations of the tympanic membrane (by pulling on the handle of malleus)
  • Stapedius: dampens sound by reducing vibrations of stapes on the oval window
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25
Describe the acoustic reflex in relation to the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles
Loud noises cause tensor tympani and stapedius to contract, which dampens the sound to protect the nerves from damage
26
What is the function of the Eustachian tube?
To equalise air pressure between the middle ear and nasopharynx This is ideal for vibration of the auditory ossicles
27
The cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube is usually collapsed. Which muscles contract to open it?
The soft palate muscles | tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini muscles
28
When would the Eustachian tube be opened?
When atmospheric pressure changes | e.g., increased atm. pressure under water, decreased atm. pressure at high altitidues
29
Increased atmospheric pressure (e.g., under water) pushes the tympanic membrane IN/OUT, resulting in reduced vibrations of the ossicles and muffled hearing
IN
30
Decreased atmospheric pressure (e.g., in a plane) pushes the tympanic membrane IN/OUT, resulting in reduced vibrations of the ossicles and muffled hearing
OUT
31
The posterior 1/3rd of the Eustachian tube is formed by... A. Cartilage B. Bone
B. Bone The remainder is formed by cartilage
32
What is the torus tubarius?
The opening of the Eustachian tube in the nasopharynx
33
Why can tonsilitis/pharyngitis cause otitis media?
Bacteria/ viruses can spread from the nasopharynx, through the Eustachian tube, and into the middle ear
34
Why is otitis media more common in children?
They have a shorter and more horizontal Eustachian tube
35
Why can inflammation of the tonsils or pharynx lead to referred pain in the ear?
They have a common nerve supply: The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) provides sensory information to the mucosa of the... - Middle ear & eustachian tube - Naso- and oropharynx - Palatine tonsils
36
Which branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) supplies the middle ear?
The tympanic branch (via the tympanic plexus lying on the promontory)
37
What forms the promontory (bump) in the medial wall of the tympanic cavity?
The cochlear of the inner ear
38
The internal carotid artery is closely related to the... A. Roof of the tympanic cavity B. Floor of the tympanic cavity C. Anterior wall of the tympanic cavity
C. Anterior wall of the tympanic cavity
39
The internal jugular vein is closely related to the... A. Roof of the tympanic cavity B. Floor of the tympanic cavity C. Anterior wall of the tympanic cavity
B. Floor of the tympanic cavity
40
``` The mastoid aditus/antrum opens into the air cells of the mastoid process. Which wall of the tympanic cavity is the mastoid aditus found in? A. Anterior B. Posterior C. Lateral D. Medial ```
B. Posterior
41
Infection of the mastoid aditus (mastoiditis) can cause which condition?
Osteomyelitis
42
How can the mastoid aditus be used in surgery?
It can provide surgical access to the tympanic cavity (but watch out for the facial nerve in the facial canal)
43
What are the two main features of the anterior wall of the tympanic cavity?
The Eustachian tube | The chorda tympani
44
What structure carries the facial nerve (CN VII) through the tympanic cavity?
The facial canal
45
The stapes communicates with the inner ear via the...
Oval window
46
Describe the location and structure of the inner ear
- Located in the petrous portion of the temporal bone | - Consists of a bony otic capsule with an inner membranous labyrinth
47
The bony otic capsule is full of PERI-/ENDO- lymph which is similar to EXTRA-/INTRA- cellular fluid
The bony otic capsule if full of PERIlymph which is similar to EXTRAcellular fluid
48
The inner membranous labyrinth is full of PERI-/ENDO-lymph which is similar to EXTRA-/INTRA-cellular fluid
The inner membranous labyrinth is full of ENDOlymph which is similar to INTRAcellular fluid
49
Why is the otic capsule made of denser bone than the rest of the temporal bone?
It is fully developed at birth (i.e., no bone turnover occurs)
50
What are the 3 parts of the inner ear?
1. Cochlear 2. Vestibule (utricle + saccule) 3. 3 semicircular canals
51
Which parts of the inner ear are involved in... -Hearing -Balance and head movement ?
- Hearing: Cochlear | - Balance: Vestibule + semicircular ducts
52
Name the 3 semicircular ducts. How are they orientated in relation to each other?
Anterior, lateral and posterior semicircular duct They are found at right-angles (90 degrees) to each other
53
Which 2 semicircular ducts have a common stalk?
Anterior and posterior
54
In the inner ear, the conversion of mechanical to neural stimuli is achieved by what type of cell?
Mechanoreceptors called hair cells
55
How are hair cells stimulated in the vestibular apparatus?
By the movement of endolymph in the membranous labyrinth
56
In what 2 locations are hair cells found in the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear?
- The maculae of the utricle and saccule | - The ampullae of the semicircular ducts
57
``` Angular movement change (e.g., nodding, shaking head, putting head on shoulders) is detected by hair cells in the... - Utricle - Saccule - Semicircular ducts ? ```
Semicircular ducts
58
``` Horizontal movement change is detected by hair cells in the... - Utricle - Saccule - Semicircular ducts ? ```
Utricle
59
``` Vertical movement change is detected by hair cells in the... - Utricle - Saccule - Semicircular ducts ? ```
Saccule
60
Hair cells convert fluid motion into neural stimuli. Which nerve carries the neural stimuli from the vestibular apparatus to the CNS?
The vestibular nerve
61
The vestibular and cochlear nerve join to form which cranial nerve?
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
62
Which part of the inner ear does the oval window connect with?
The cochlear
63
Describe transition of pressure waves to neural stimuli in the cochlear
- Vibration of stapes against the oval window creates pressure waves in perilymph and endolymph - Hair cells in the membranous labyrinth are moved - This stimulates action potentials which carry neural signals to the brain via the cochlear nerve
64
What structure dampens the pressure waves in the cochlear apparatus?
The round window
65
Name the 3 fluid-filled channels of the cochlear apparatus
- Scala vestibuli - Cochlear duct (scala media) - Scala tympani
66
Which of the chambers are part of the membranous labyrinth of the cochlear apparatus? - Scala vestibuli - Cochlear duct (scala media) - Scala tympani
The cochlear duct The scala vestibuli and tympani are part of the bony labyrinth - Scala vestibuli - Cochlear duct (scala media) - Scala tympani
67
At which site are the scala vestibuli and scala tympani continuous with each other?
At the apex of the cochlear - i.e., the helicotrema
68
What is the modiolus?
The bony core of the cochlear
69
Where are hair cells found in the cochlear apparatus?
The organ of Cortani in the cochlear duct (scala media)
70
Hair cells convert fluid motion into neural stimuli. Which nerve carries the neural stimuli from the cochlear apparatus to the CNS?
The cochlear nerve (via the vestibulocochlear nerve - CN VIII)
71
Where are cell bodies of the cochlear hair cells found?
In spiral ganglia in the modiolus
72
Conductive hearing loss is due to problems in the external/middle/inner ear
External/middle
73
Sensorineural hearing loss if due to problems in the external/middle/inner ear
Inner
74
What structures pass through the internal acoustic meatus? (3)
- Facial nerve (CN VII) - Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) - Labyrinthine artery + vein
75
What are the 4 modalities of the facial nerve?
1. Parasympathetic secretomotor supply to the lacrimal glands, minor glands of the nasal cavity, and the sublingual and submandibular glands 2. Special sensation (taste) supply to the anterior 2/3rds of the tongue 3. General sensation to the anterior 2/3rds of the tongue 4. Somatic motor supply to the muscles of facial expression
76
Where is the pterygopalatine ganglion located?
The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) between the sphenoid bone and maxilla
77
Which nerve supplies the posterior 1/3rd of the tongue?
CN IX (glossopharyngeal nerve)
78
What is the pterygopalatine ganglion?
A parasympathetic ganglion in the neck that receives pre-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres from... - The greater petrosal nerve of the facial nerve (CN VII) - Maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2)
79
Describe the parasympathetic and sympathetic inputs to the pterygopalatine ganglion
- The facial nerve (CN VII) runs through the facial canal in the temporal bone - The greater petrosal nerve (parasympathetic) arises from the facial nerve (CN VII) in the geniculate ganglion - It travels from the middle cranial fossa and joins the deep petrosal nerve (sympathetic) to form the vidian nerve of the pterygoid canal - The vidian nerve enters the pterygopalatine ganglion
80
Where does the deep petrosal nerve come from?
The internal carotid artery
81
What symptoms can facial nerve dysfunction present with?
Dry eyes, mucosa or mouth Lack of taste in anterior 2/3rds of tongue Facial paralysis
82
When the vidian nerve enters the pterygopalatine ganglion, describe the route of the greater petrosal nerve
- Greater petrosal nerve synapses in the PPG | - Post-synaptic parasympathetic fibres travel to glands in the nasal cavity, palate and pharynx
83
When the vidian nerve enters the pterygopalatine ganglion, describe the route of the deep petrosal nerve
The deep petrosal nerve is already post-synaptic, so these post-synaptic sympathetic fibres pass straight through the PPG to supply sympathetic innervation to the vasculature of the nasal and oral mucosa

LR ENT (3 decks)

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