Facial Nerve Flashcards
What are the three main parts of the ear?
A: Outer ear, middle ear, inner ear
Q: Where are the structures of hearing located?
A: In the petrous part of the temporal bone
Q: What are the four functional divisions of the auditory system?
A: Outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, central auditory nervous system
Outer Ear
Q: What are the two main structures of the outer ear?
A: Auricle (pinna) and external auditory meatus
Q: What are the functions of the auricle?
A: Gathers sound waves, aids in localization, amplifies sound
Q: What glands are present in the external auditory meatus, and what do they produce?
A: Sebaceous and ceruminous glands; they produce cerumen (earwax)
Q: What are the functions of cerumen?
A: Lubricates and cleans the external auditory canal, waterproofs the canal, protects against microbial infection
Middle Ear
Q: What are the components of the middle ear?
A: Tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, middle ear cavity, Eustachian tube
Q: What are the three auditory ossicles?
A: Malleus, incus, stapes
Q: What is the function of the tympanic membrane?
A: Converts acoustical energy into mechanical energy
Q: How is the tympanic cavity connected to the nasopharynx?
A: Via the auditory (Eustachian) tube
Q: What is the function of the Eustachian tube?
A: Equalizes air pressure in the middle ear
Q: Why are infants more prone to middle ear infections?
A: Their Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal
Inner Ear
Q: What are the main structures of the inner ear?
A: Cochlea, semicircular canals, vestibule
Q: What is the function of the cochlea?
A: Converts mechanical energy into electrical signals via the Organ of Corti
Q: What are the functions of the semicircular canals?
A: Monitor head position and maintain balance
Q: Where are auditory receptors located?
A: In the Organ of Corti within the cochlea
Q: What fluid do the cochlea and vestibular system share?
A: Endolymph and perilymph
Auditory Pathway
Q: What cranial nerve carries auditory signals to the brain?
A: Vestibulocochlear nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII)
Q: Where do auditory signals end in the brain?
A: The primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe (Wernicke’s Area)
Facial Nerve
Q: What is the cranial nerve number of the facial nerve?
A: Cranial Nerve VII
Q: What branches does the facial nerve give inside the middle ear?
A: Motor branch to stapedius, greater petrosal nerve, chorda tympani
Q: What is the function of the chorda tympani?
A: Provides taste sensation to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
Q: What is the function of the stapedius muscle?
A: Contracts in response to loud sounds (Acoustic Reflex) to reduce loudness perception
What are the three main parts of the ear?
Outer ear, middle ear, inner ear
Where are the structures of hearing located?
In the petrous part of the temporal bone
What are the four functional divisions of the auditory system?
Outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, central auditory nervous system
What are the two main structures of the outer ear?
Auricle (pinna) and external auditory meatus
What are the functions of the auricle?
Gathers sound waves, aids in localization, amplifies sound
What glands are present in the external auditory meatus, and what do they produce?
Sebaceous and ceruminous glands; they produce cerumen (earwax)
What are the functions of cerumen?
Lubricates and cleans the external auditory canal, waterproofs the canal, protects against microbial infection
What are the components of the middle ear?
Tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles, middle ear cavity, Eustachian tube
What are the three auditory ossicles?
Malleus, incus, stapes
What is the function of the tympanic membrane?
Converts acoustical energy into mechanical energy
How is the tympanic cavity connected to the nasopharynx?
Via the auditory (Eustachian) tube
What is the function of the Eustachian tube?
Equalizes air pressure in the middle ear
Why are infants more prone to middle ear infections?
Their Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal
What are the main structures of the inner ear?
Cochlea, semicircular canals, vestibule
What is the function of the cochlea?
Converts mechanical energy into electrical signals via the Organ of Corti
What are the functions of the semicircular canals?
Monitor head position and maintain balance
Where are auditory receptors located?
In the Organ of Corti within the cochlea
What fluid do the cochlea and vestibular system share?
Endolymph and perilymph
What cranial nerve carries auditory signals to the brain?
Vestibulocochlear nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII)
Where do auditory signals end in the brain?
The primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe (Wernicke’s Area)
What is the cranial nerve number of the facial nerve?
Cranial Nerve VII
What branches does the facial nerve give inside the middle ear?
Motor branch to stapedius, greater petrosal nerve, chorda tympani
