Outer Ear

Question 1

What are the two main functional purposes of the pinna?

Answer 1

• Protection

- Sound collection/localization

Question 2

What are the major audiological consequences of pinna damage?

Answer 2

• Minor audiological consequences

- Loss of resonances

Question 3

In children the ear canal is roughly what direction? In adults?

Answer 3

• Children: horizontal/perpendicular to the pinna

- Adults: horizontal but slightly downward sloping

Question 4

What is the general shape of the ear canal? Why is it shaped like this?

Answer 4

• Lazy S shape

- Protection of the TM

Question 5

What portion of the ear canal is surrounded by cartilage? Bone?

Answer 5

• Cartilage: lateral 1/3

- Bone: medial 2/3

Question 6

Cerumen is produced in what part of the ear canal?

Answer 6

-Cartilage (lateral 1/3)

Question 7

What is the function of cerumen?

Answer 7

-Antibacterial
-Antifungal
-Anti-insectal
^^to protect the TM

Question 8

The ear canal primarily acts like what kind of resonator?

Answer 8

-Open/closed pipe

Question 9

At what frequency is the primary resonance of the ear canal and meatus?

Answer 9

-3-4 kHz

Question 10

What parts of the body contribute to the resonances by the time one reaches the tympanic membrane?

Answer 10

• Torso
• Head
• Pinna