The Ear

Question 1

What are the 2 functions of the ear

Answer 1

hearing

balance

Question 2

what part of the ear ensures balance

Answer 2

mechanoreceptors

Question 3

describe the pathway that the sound wave follows for hearing

Answer 3

sound waves trapped by Pinna
Directed towards tympatic membrane
membrane vibrates
vibrasions moved on ossicles
ossicles send vibrations to oval window 
vibrasions by oval window set up pressure waves in inner ear 
stimulates hair cells in organ of corti 
nerve impulse sent down auditory nerve to cerebrum in brain

Question 4

explain how balance is achieved

Answer 4

When the head moves, fluid in the inner ear, in semi-circular canal is disturbed and mechano-receptors called maculae are stimulated and send a nerve impulse to cerebellum of brain. A response impulse is then sent to effector muscle to restore balance and equilibrium.

Question 5

formal term for middle ear infection

Answer 5

otitis media

Question 6

how does ones middle ear become infected

Answer 6

virus enters via the Eustachain tube

Question 7

function of grommets

Answer 7

allow moisture to drain ear drum and enter eustachian tube

Question 8

name 4 causes of deafness

Answer 8

damage to auditory nerve
damage to part of brain that perceives impulses from auditory nerve
outer/middle ear doesnt function correctly
damage to inner ear

Question 9

2 treatments to deafness

Answer 9

hearing aids

cochlea implants

Question 10

descrribe the ossicles

Answer 10

group of 3 tiny bones

by the time sound reaches here it is 30x lounder than at eardrum

Question 11

describe the pinna

Answer 11

visible part of ear

funnels sounds into auditory canal

Question 12

describe the auditory canal

Answer 12

connects outer ear with eardrum

Question 13

describe the eardum

Answer 13

thin sheet of muscle and skin that vibrates in response to sound
start of middle ear

Question 14

describe the eustachian tube

Answer 14

connected to throat

helps maintain pressure between middle and inner ear

Question 15

describe the cochlea

Answer 15

coiled, fluid filled tube

fluid passes vibrations to a layer of tiny hairs connected to auditory nerves.

Question 16

describe the auditory nerves

Answer 16

send messages to the brain, which are then interpreted as sounds

Question 17

describe the semi-circular canals

Answer 17

3 sections // perpindicular to one another
contains fluid that moves when you do
nerves send messages to brain which signals muscles

Question 18

describe the oval window

Answer 18

stirrup vibrates against this
causes vibrations to pass into cochlea
marks boundary between middle and inner ear