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ENT Anatomy > The Ear > Flashcards

The Ear Flashcards

1
Q

In which bone are the divisions of the ear found?

A

Temporal bone

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2
Q

What are the anatomic divisions of the ear?

A

External
Middle
Inner

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3
Q

What are the functional divisions of the ear?

A

Hearing (auditory system)

Balance (vestibular system)

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4
Q

What is the pterion?

A

H shaped suture
Joins frontal, parietal, temporal and sphenoid
Thinnest part of the skull

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5
Q

Which three processes are found in the temporal bone?

A

(Anterior to posterior)
Zygomatic process
Styloid process
Mastoid process

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6
Q

Which structure of the temporal bone prevents anterior dislocation of the TMJ?

A

Zygomatic process

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7
Q

Where is the stylomastoid foramen found and which structure exits here?

A

Between styloid process and mastoid process

Facial nerve

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8
Q

What are the two parts of the temporal bone?

A

Squamous (above EAM)

Petrous (rest of bone)

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9
Q

Where is the extra cranial opening into the carotid canal found?

A

Temporal bone

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10
Q

Which foramina are found in the anterior cranial fossa?

A

Cribriform plate of ethmoid bone

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11
Q

Which foramina are found in the middle cranial fossa?

A 
Optic canal 
Superior orbital fissure
Foramen rotundum 
Foramen ovale 
(Intracranial opening of carotid canal)
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12
Q

Which foramina are found in the posterior cranial fossa?

A

Internal acoustic meatus
Jugular formanen
Hypoglossal canal
(Foramen Magnum)

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13
Q

Which structures pass through the internal acoustic meatus?

A

CN VII - Facial Nerve
CN VIII - Vestibulocochlear Nerve
Labyrinthine artery (+ vein)

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14
Q

What are the functions of the Facial Nerve?

A 
Motor to face 
Motor to stapedius 
Taste to ant 2/3rds of tongue 
Secretomotor to salivary glands and lacrimal gland 
General sensory to external ear
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15
Q

What are the functions of the Vestibulocochlear Nerve?

A

Balance

Hearing

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16
Q

What is the Labyrinthine artery?

A

Branch of anterior inferior cerebellar artery

From Circle of Willis

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17
Q

Which structures form the external ear?

A

Auricle to tympanic membrane vie external acoustic meatus

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18
Q

Which structures form the middle ear?

A

Tympanic membrane to oval window, including Eustachian tube

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19
Q

Which structures form the inner ear?

A

Oval window to internal acoustic meatus

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20
Q

What is the function of the external ear?

A

Collects and conveys sound waves to tympanic membrane

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21
Q

What is the function of the middle ear?

A

Amplifies and conducts found waves to the internal ear

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22
Q

What is the function of the internal ear?

A

Converts special sensory information into fluid waves, then APs and conducts APs to brain

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23
Q

Which are the components of the external ear “skeleton”?

A

Temporal bone
Elastic cartilage
(avascular, and so gets nutrients from the skin)

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24
Q

What are the components of the ear canal?

A

Begins at external acoustic meatus
Composed of 1/3 cartilage (elastic), 2/3 bony
Lined with skin
Produces earwax via ceruminous glands

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25
What are the components of the auricle?
``` Helix Anti helix Concha Tragus Anti tragus Ear lobe ```
26
What is the innervation of the auricle?
C2,3 spinal nerves | CN VII - Facial nerve
27
Which parts of the external ear are supplied by CNV3?
Superior parts of EAM and most of the tympanic membrane (2/3)
28
Which parts of the external ear are supplied by CNX?
Inferior parts of EAM and tympanic membrane (1/3)
29
What is the lymphatic drainage of the auricle?
Lateral surface of superior half -> parotid lymph nodes Cranial surface of superior half -> mastoid lymph nodes (and deep cervical) Rest of auricle -> Superficial cervical lymph nodes All eventually -> deep cervical lymph nodes Then thoracic duct or right lymphatic duct at venous angles
30
Which direction should you pull the auricle for otoscopic examination in children?
Posteroinferiorly | EAM short and straight
31
Which direction should you pull the auricle for otoscopic examination in adults?
Posterosuperiorly | EAM is curved
32
Where is the cone of light normally seen in otoscopic examination, and why might this change?
Anteroinferiorly | Change of pressure within the middle ear
33
What is the general sensory nerve supply to the tympanic membrane?
External surface = mostly CN V3 | Internal surface = CN IX
34
Which structures does the Glossopharyngeal Nerve provide sensory innervation to?
``` Middle ear cavity Eustachian tube Nasopharynx Oropharynx Tonsils ```
35
Which structures does the Eustachian tube connect?
Anterior wall of tympanic cavity to the lateral wall of the nasopharynx
36
Which three bones are contained in the middle ear?
Malleus Incus Stapes
37
Which two muscles are contained in the middle ear?
Stapedius | Tensor tympani
38
Branches from which cranial nerves are contained within the middle ear?
Facial nerve | Glossopharyngeal
39
By which joints do the auditory ossicles articulate?
Synovial joints
40
Which structure of the middle ear adheres to the internal aspect of the tympanic membrane, and what does this create?
Handle of the malleus | Creates the umbo (most inwardly depressed part of tympanic membrane)
41
Which structure in the middle ear fits into the oval window?
The base (footplate) of the stapes
42
What is the epitympanic recess?
Space superior to the tympanic membrane
43
Which nerve innervates tensor tympani muscle?
Mandibular division of trigeminal (CN V3)
44
What is the purpose of tensor tympani muscle?
Reduces the sound heard whilst eating
45
Where is the tympanic cavity found?
Petrous temporal bone
46
Which nerve passes the lateral wall of the tympanic cavity, over the tensor tympani muscle and past the tympanic membrane?
Chorda Tympani
47
What is the aditus?
Doorway into the mastoid antrum from the epitympanic recess
48
What causes mastoiditis?
Spread of infection from middle ear cavity
49
What are the implications of bacterial spread along the Eustachian tube?
Bacterial spread from pharynx/tonsils causing pain/hearing loss
50
What is the common nerve supply of the Eustachian tube and nasa/oropharynx and why is this clinically significant?
CN IX Tonsillitis of pharyngitis can mimic earache Common example of referred pain
51
What are the general functions of the facial nerve?
Special sensory Sensory Motor Parasympathetic
52
What is the CNS connection of the facial nerve?
Brainstem, at ponotmedullary junction
53
What is the intracranial course of the facial nerve?
Directly into internal acoustic meatus in posterior cranial fossa
54
What is the base of skull foramen course of the facial nerve?
Temporal bone: Internal acoustic meatus Stylomastoid foramen
55
Which cranial nerve does Chorda tympani branch from?
CN VII (facial)
56
What are the functions of Chorda tympani?
Taste buds of the anterior 2/3 of the tongue | Parasympathetic supply to submandibular and sublingual salivary glands
57
What is the function of Stapedius?
Reduces stapes movement to protect the internal ear form excessive noise
58
What is the facial canal?
Connects the internal acoustic meatus to the stylomastoid process Contains CNVII
59
Which nerve supplies stapedius?
CN VII
60
With which nerve does the Chorda tympani connect?
Lingual nerve branch of CN V3
61
What is the origin/attachment of the muscles of facial expression?
``` Originate = Bone Insert = Superficial fascia ```
62
What are the muscles of facial expression?
Frontalis Orbicularis oculi Elevators of lips Orbicularis oris
63
How do you clinically test muscles of facial expression and motor function of CN VII?
Frown Close eyes tightly Smile Maintain puffed out cheeks
64
Why is the buccal fat pad clinically significant?
Lost in illness, giving "sunken cheeks" | Clinical sign of malnutrition
65
What are the two components of the vestibulocochlear nerve?
Cochelar nerve - Hearing | Vestibular nerve - Balance
66
What is the otic capsule?
Dense bone capsule sitting within the temporal bone | Contains bony labyrinth
67
Explain the components of the otic capsule?
Membranous labyrinth containing endolymph fluid is suspended in perilymph fluid within the bony labyrinth
68
What is the physiological difference between perilymph and endolymph?
``` Perilymph = high K Endolymph = low K ```
69
How many turns does the cochlea undergo?
2.5
70
How are the semi-circular canals named?
Superior Lateral Posterior
71
What is the cochlear duct?
Long balloon like structure within the cochlea filled with endolymph
72
Through which nerve are APs from the cochlear duct conducted to the brainstem?
Cochlear nerve
73
What are the semicircular ducts?
Interlinked balloon like structures within the semicircular canals filled with endolymph
74
Through which nerve are APs from the semicircular ducts conducted to the brainstem?
Vestibular nerve
75
Which movement do the semicircular ducts detect?
Angular movement change
76
Which movement do the urticle and saccule detect?
Linear movement change U = Horizontal S = Vertical
77
How does the vestibular apparatus detect movement change?
Hair cells are stimulated by the movement of endolymph
78
What is are maculae?
Regions of the internal ear where clusters of hair cells are found
79
Describe sound transmission to the internal ear?
Sound waves make tympanic membrane vibrate Vibrations transmitted through ossicles Base of stapes vibrates in oval window Creates pressure was in perilymph Hair cells in cochlea move, APs stimulated and conveyed to brain by cochlear nerve Pressure waves descend and become vibrations again Pressure waves dampened at round window
80
Where in the cochlear apparatus are auditory stimuli detected?
Receptor cells in the organ of Corti | Located on the basil membrane of cochlear duct
81
What are the two parts of the cochlear canal?
Scala vestibuli | Scala tympani
82
What is the course of the vestibulocochlear nerve?
CNS at pontomedullary junction Internal acoustic meatus Divides to cochlear nerve axons -> cochlea and vestibular nerve axons -> semicircular ducts

ENT Anatomy (4 decks)

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