The Ear Flashcards
What are the structures in the middle ear?
Tympanic membrane
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
What types of joints are found between the ossicles?
Synovial Joints
Which ossicle is in contact with the tympanic membrane?
Malleus
Which ossicle is in contact with the oval window?
Stapes
Name two muscles related to the ossicle of the ear?
Stapedius muscle
Tensor tympani
What are the actions of the ossicles?
Stapedius muscle- Tilts stapes backwards – dampens vibrations to control amplitude of sound waves
Tensor tympani- Pulls Malleus medially & tenses tympanic membrane dampening vibrations – Dampens the noise of chewing
Name two areas with which the cavity of the middle ear communicates:
- Mastoid Air cells & Mastoid antrum*
- Nasopharynx*
Within which part of the temporal bone do the middle and inner ear lie
The petrous part of the temporal bone
The inner ear consists of a series of bone lined chambers called what?
Bony labyrinth
Inside the bony labyrinth lies a series of membranous chambers called what?
Membranous labyrinth
What is the fluid that lies within the bony labyrinth?
Perilymph
What is the fluid that lies within the membranous labyrinth?
Endolymph
What is the function of the cochlea and the semicircular canals?
Cochlea is the auditory part of the inner ear
Semicircular canals are responsible for balance
Through which foramen does the facial nerve exit the posterior cranial fossa?
Internal auditory meatus
Which other cranial nerve exits through this foramen?
Vestibulocochlear nerve
The facial nerve runs where?
Runs in a canal (facial canal) on the medial wall of the middle ear cavity.
What does the facial nerve leave the skull?
At the stylomastoid foramen
What does the facial nerve give off while in the middle ear cavity?
The chora tympani nerve
What do the parasympathetic facial fibres do?
Parasympathetic (preganglionic) efferent fibres destined for submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.
These are secretomotor.
What are the sensory fibres of the facial nerve carrying?
Sensory fibres carrying the special sense of taste
Supplies the anterior 2/3rd of the tongue
