The auditory system Flashcards
What is a sound wave?
Vibrating particles passing vibrations onto the next particle
What is the peak of a sound wave?
Compressed air
What is the trough of a sound wave?
Rarefied air
What is frequency?
Number of compressed or rarefied patches of air that pass our ears each second
What is the units of frequency?
Hertz (Hz)
What is intensity?
Air pressure difference between peaks and troughs (amplitude)
What are the units of intensity?
Decibels (dB)
What kind of scale is decibels?
Logarithmic
What is the range of hearing for humans?
20 Hz to 20 000 Hz
What are the 3 main regions of the ear?
- Outer
- Middle
- Inner
What is included in the outer ear?
Pinna to the tympanic membrane
What is the tympanic membrane?
Eardrum
What is the pinna?
Part of the ear that you can see
What is included in the middle ear?
Tympanic membrane to the oval window (air filled)
What is included in the inner ear?
Cochlea
What is the function of the outer ear?
Convolutions allow for sound localisation in the vertical plane
What are the 3 smallest bones in the body?
Ossicles
What are the names of the ossicles?
- Hammer (also malleus)
- Anvil (also incus)
- Stirrup (also stapes)
Where are the ossicles located?
Between the tympanic membrane and oval window
Which ossicle is attached to the tympanic membrane?
Hammer (malleus)
Which ossicle is attached to the oval window?
Stirrup (stapes)
What is the connection like between the malleus and incus?
Rigid
What is the connection like between the incus and stapes?
Flexible
What is the purpose of the ossicles?
To concentrate the sound when it is transmitted to the cochlea