SPECIAL SENSES - HEARING Flashcards
the ear contains receptors for the sensations of
HEARING AND EQUILIBRIUM
THE OUTER EAR CONSISTS OF
auricle
external auditory canal
tympanic membrane
THE MIDDLE EAR
an air-filled cavity in the temporal bone
contain three small bones known as auditory ossicles
the middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx via the
eustachian (auditory) tube
the three auditory ossicles
malleus (hammer)
incus (anvil)
stapes (stirrup)
THE INNER EAR
fluid-filled and contains the:
cochlea
vestibule
semicircular ducts (canals)
contains the RECEPTORS for hearing and equilibrium
AURICLE
consists of cartilage covered by skin and is shaped like the wide end of a trumpet
EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL
leads from the auricle to the tympanic membrane
the EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL contains:
a few hairs and modified sweat glands called CERUMINOUS GLANDS that secrete cerumen (ear wax)
TYMPANIC MEMBRANE
A thin, transparent barrier between the external ear and the middle ear
if torn, usually heals in about a month
the EUSTACHIAN (AUDITORY) TUBE allows
EXTERNAL AIR PRESSURE TO EQUALIZE on both sides of the tympanic membrane
may also allow pathogens from the throat to spread to the middle ear
the INNER EAR (labyrinth) consists of a complicated
series of canals;
PERILYMPH
a fluid in the bony labyrinth that surrounds the membranous labyrinth
ENDOLYMPH
a fluid filling the membranous labyrinth
COCHLEA
the snail-shaped portion of the inner ear
contains the RECEPTORS FOR HEARING
