Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Acoustics II: Outer & Middle Ear > Intro/Outer Ear > Flashcards

Intro/Outer Ear Flashcards

1
Q

What landmark does the Squamous portion of the temporal bone contain? What shape is this portion? Where is it located?

A

Fan shaped portion that contains mandibular fossa (articulation for condylar process of mandible). It is superior to the external auditory meatus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What landmarks does the Tympanic portion of the temporal bone contain? Where is it located?

A

Contains the opening for the external auditory meatus and styloid process. The lateral portion forms the external auditory canal. The tympanic portion is anterior and inferior to the external auditory meatus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What landmarks does the Mastoid portion of the Temporal bone contain? Where is it located?

A

Contains mastoid process and air cells. It is posterior to the external auditory meatus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What landmarks does the Petrous portion of the Tympanic bone contain? Where is it located? What are some features of this portion?

A

Contains the labryinth of cochlea, vestibular system, portions of VII, & VIII nerves, carotid canal, and jugular fossa. It is located medial to external auditory meatus. It is triangular in shape and is the hardest bone in the body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What structures does the temporal bone encase?

A

Portion of external ear, middle ear, and inner ear, including the cochlea and vestibular apparatus and the seventh and eighth nerves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why is the term labyrinth used to describe the bony structure of the temporal bone?

A

It has cavities, channels and canals that house the end organs of hearing and balance (sense organs).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the bony labyrinth?

A

Provides support and protection for the delicate anatomical structures of hearing and balance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the membranous labyrinth/

A

Contained within bony labyrinth, contains fluids and sense organs of hearing and balance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the five bones that each temporal bone articulates with?

A

Sphenoid, mandible, occipital, ipsilateral parietal, and zygomatic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the temporomandibular joint? What is pain in this joint confused with?

A

The articulation between the condylar process of the mandible and the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone- only movable joint between bones of the skull. Pain here can be confused with ear ache.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the first portion of the auditory system? What are it’s two parts?

A

The outer ear; it consists of the pinna/auricle and the external auditory meatus/ear canal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the consistency of the auricle/pinna?

A

Fibrous cartilage covered with skin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How many auricular muscles are there?

A

3 extrinsic, 6 intrinsic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the three extrinsic auricular muscles?

A

Anterior, superior, and posterior muscles attach to the auricle and serve little/no function in humans.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the intrinsic auricular muscles?

A

6 muscles that contribute to the shape of the pinna.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the auricular muscles innervated by?

A

Branches of the facial nerve (VII).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the external auditory meatus? What is it’s role?

A

The tube like structure that conducts sound to the middle ear.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the diameter of the external auditory meatus? What shape is it?

A

Measures 2.5-3 cm in length ~1 in. 7-8 mm in diameter. It is larger at orifice and decreases as it approaches isthmus, where it opens up again to increase in diameter. Oval in shape.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the cartilaginous portion of the EAM? What shape does it take?

A

The lateral one-third to one-half of the EAM. Assists in diameter change with movement of mandible and pulling on auricle.

20
Q

What does the subepithelial stroma contain?

A

Rich blood supply, hair follicles and ceruminal glands.

21
Q

What are the two glands of the cartilaginous portion of the EAM?

A

Sebaceous, which produces oily substance that lubricates the canal, and ceruminous glands.

22
Q

What is the epidermal lining of the EAM?

A

Covers ear canal and forms the lateral-most layer of the tympanic membrane.

23
Q

What is the isthmus of the ear canal?

A

A constriction, which marks the junction of the cartilaginous framework with the bony framework.

24
Q

What is the bony portion of the EAM? What is it formed by?

A

The medial one-half to two-thirds of the EAM. Formed by the tympanic portion of the temporal bone (floor and anterior wall, and inferior posterior wall of canal), the squamous portion of the temporal bone (roof and portion of the posterior wall), and the condoyle of the mandible (inferior anterior wall of canal at TMJ joint).

25
Q

What is the bony portion of the EAM lined by? What does it lack?

A

Lined by thin skin attached to periosteum- extremely sensitive. It lacks hair cells and glands.

26
Q

What shape does the EAM take?

A

“S” shape that can be straightened by pulling auricle superior and posterior.

27
Q

What innervates the sensation of the EAM?

A

V, VII, IX, and X cranial nerves.

28
Q

What is Arnold’s reflex?

A

The cough resulting from stimulation of Auricular/Arnold’s branch of Xth nerve, which innervates back portion of EAM.

29
Q

What is cerumen? What is it’s purpose?

A

Waxy, water resistant substance with an acidic pH. Protects ear canal from drying out, prevents insect/foreign body invasions, and has antibacterial elements.

30
Q

What does cerumen remove from ear?

A

Dead epithelial elements and keratin are removed with cerumen as it travels out of the ear canal.

31
Q

What is the pinna/auricle? What does it consist of?

A

Large flap like structure of the hearing mechanism that is attached at 15-30 degree angle to the side of the head. Consists of several pieces of cartilage held together by ligaments.

32
Q

What is the concha? It’s purpose?

A

Large cup shaped depression behind and below the tragus, which forms entrance to the canal. It resonates and emphasizes high frequencies.

33
Q

What is the helix?

A

The ridged rim along the posterior and superior region of the pinna.

34
Q

What is Darwin’s tubercle?

A

A variation of the helix that results in a thickened portion of the helix near the tip posteriorly.

35
Q

What is the scaphoid fossa?

A

A groove located anterior to helix, which runs down posterior portion of the pinna.

36
Q

What is the antihelix?

A

Ridge located anterior to the scaphoid fossa. Runs parallel to helix, but splits into crura of antihelix in upper portion.

37
Q

What is the triangular fossa?

A

A prominent depression that is observed in a triangular area formed by the branching of the antihelix into two crura.

38
Q

What is the antitragus?

A

A widening in the inferior most region of the antihelix.

39
Q

What is the tragus?

A

A cartilaginous flap which partially occludes the opening of the ear canal.

40
Q

What is the intertragalincisure (intertragal notch)?

A

Notch separating tragus and antitragus.

41
Q

What is the lobule?

A

The inferior most extremity of pinna that is devoid of cartilage.

42
Q

What does the middle ear convert acoustic energy into?

A

Mechanical energy.

43
Q

What is the purpose of the pinna?

A

Ridges and depressions cause the pinna to function as a resonator for high frequency sounds. Patterns change with location of source, if a sound occurs on one side, it will hit the same side’s eardrum sooner and more intensely than the other. This gives information on where a sound occurs in space.

44
Q

What frequencies resonate with the ear canal?

A

Mid to high frequencies of 2500-2700.

45
Q

What is the most prominent enhancement of the acoustic signal a result of?

A

Ear canal resonance, which is more than the pinna effect.

46
Q

The pinna and EAM combined account for a ___ dB SPL emphasis in the frequencies between 2000 and 7000 Hz.

A

15-20

47
Q

What are the four main parts of the temporal bone?

A

Squamous, Tympanic, Mastoid, & Petrous

Acoustics II: Outer & Middle Ear (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions