The Ear

Question 1

Sound waves

Answer 1

A series of compressions and rarefactions resulting in an s-shaped curve, or sine wave.

Question 2

The outer ear

Answer 2

One of the three main regions of the ear which consists of the pinna and auditory canal

Question 3

Pinna

Answer 3

The outer flap of the ear that is composed of skin and cartilage. It is shaped to enhance sound vibrations and funnels them into the auditory canal.

Question 4

Auditory Canal

Answer 4

A short channel that conducts sound waves from the outside of the ear to the eardrum. Amplifies sounds.

Question 5

Middle Ear

Answer 5

One of the three main regions of the ear. Bordered on one side by the tympanum, it contains a chamber that contains the ossicles. Leads into the Eustachian tube

Question 6

Tympanum

Answer 6

A round, elastic structure located in the middle ear that vibrates in response to sound waves.

Question 7

Ossicles

Answer 7

Three tiny bones located in the middle ear. Each bone acts as a lever for the next, amplifying the strength of vibrations as they pass from the malleus (hammer), to the incus (anvil), and finally to the stapes (stirrup). The stapes concentrate vibrations into the oval window.

Question 8

Eustachian tube

Answer 8

Connects middle ear to the throat. Allows air pressure to equalize when there is a difference in air pressure within and outside the otherwise contained middle ear. Viruses and bacteria can travel from the nose and mouth, resulting in an inner ear infection.

Question 9

Oval window

Answer 9

Membrane covered opening between the chamber of the middle ear and the wall of the inner ear. Since tympanum is 15-30 times larger than the oval window, the middle ear can significantly amplify and concentrate vibrations.

Question 10

Inner Ear

Answer 10

One of the three main regions of the ear located deep in the head. Consists of a fluid filled chamber containing the semi-circular canals, the vestibule, and the cochlea.

Question 11

Cochlea

Question 12

Round window

Question 13

Auditory nerve

Question 14

Organ of Corti

Question 15

Basilar Membrane

Question 16

Hair cells

Question 17

Tectorial Membrane

Question 18

Sensory neurons

Question 19

Pitch

Answer 19

Corresponds to the frequency of a sound wave

Question 20

Frequency

Answer 20

Number of wavelengths per given time; number of waves that pass a given point in a given time.

Question 21

Loudness