The Ear

Question 1

functions of the ear

Answer 1

enables us to hear and maintain balance

Question 2

three parts of the ear

Answer 2

outer, middle, inner ear

Question 3

mechanoreceptors

Answer 3

the receptors (that are concentrated in the ear) that detect sound stimuli and head movements

Question 4

position of ear

Answer 4

• the two pinnae are outside the skull on opposite sides of the head
• rest is embedded in temporal bone of skull

Question 5

outer ear consists of…

Answer 5

• pinna

- external auditory canal

Question 6

pinna

Answer 6

cartilage covered with skin

- collects and directs sound waves

Question 7

external auditory canal

Answer 7

curved tube which leads to tymphatic membrane

- transmits sound waves from pinna to tymphatic membrane

Question 8

middle ear consists of…

Answer 8

• tymphatic membrane
• ossicles
• oval and round window
• eustachian tube

Question 9

middle ear definition

Answer 9

small air-filled cavity in temporal bone with a mucous membrane

Question 10

what is the tymphatic membrane

Answer 10

EARDRUM

covers the opening between the middle ear and the external auditory canal

Question 11

eardrum function

Answer 11

converts sound waves to vibrations that are transmitted to malleus

Question 12

the three ossicles

Answer 12

malleus/hammer
incus/anvil
stapes/stirrup

Question 13

ossicles function

Answer 13

ligaments join the three ossicles and form a lever system to connect inner and outer ear

Question 14

oval window

Answer 14

an opening covered by thin membrane that connects middle and inner ear
- transmits vibrations between the two

Question 15

round window

Answer 15

basically the same as the oval window, except its below the oval window

Question 16

eustachian tube function

Answer 16

connects middle ear to pharynx and ensures pressure is the same on both sides of the eardrum

Question 17

inner ear consists of

Answer 17

• bony labyrinth

- membranous labyrinth

Question 18

labyrinths consist of

Answer 18

vestibular apparatus for balance

cochlea for hearing

Question 19

bony labyrinth

Answer 19

canals and cavities within the temporal bone

Question 20

membranous labyrinth

Answer 20

membranous tubes and sacs filled with endolymph (fluid) and floats in the perilymph

Question 21

vestibular apparatus consists of

Answer 21

• utriculus and sacculus

- semicircular canals

Question 22

utriculus and sacculus

Answer 22

• filled with endolymph, float in perilymph
• has a layer of hair cells in a jelly-like layer
• structure forms a macula

Question 23

functions of utriculus and sacculus

Answer 23

detect the position of the head in space

Question 24

semicircular canals

Answer 24

three canals with an ampulla containing cristae at the base

Question 25

how balance is coordinated in the cerebellum

Answer 25

nerve fibres from the vestibular nerve conduct impulses to the cerebellum

Question 26

crista

Answer 26

a receptor that detects changes in speed or movement of head

Question 27

semicircular canals function

Answer 27

detects changes in speed or movement of head

Question 28

macula

Answer 28

a receptor that detects the position of the head in space

Question 29

ampulla

Answer 29

a part at the base of the semicircular canal containing a crista

Question 30

cupula

Answer 30

a jelly-like cap that forms part of the crista

Question 31

cochlea

Answer 31

long, coiled tube that is divided into three canals

Question 32

the three scala

Answer 32

scala vestibuli scala media scala tympani

Question 33

scala vestibuli

Answer 33

- upper canal - filled w perilymph - bordered by oval window

Question 34

scala media

Answer 34

- middle canal - contains hearing receptors - filled with endolymph

Question 35

scala tympani

Answer 35

- lower canal - filled w perilymph - ends in round window

Question 36

helicotrema

Answer 36

the opening at the tip of the cochlear tube that joins the two outer canals of the cochlea

Question 37

vestibular membrane

Answer 37

seperates the media and vestibular

Question 38

basilar membrane

Answer 38

seperates media and tympani

Question 39

organ of corti

Answer 39

a structure formed by hair cells and tectorial membrane. it contains hearing receptors

Question 40

function of organ of corti

Answer 40

detect vibrations and convert them into nerve impulses

Question 41

functions of auditory nerve

Answer 41

conducts impulses to cerebral cortex to produce a hearing sensation, and to cerebellum to coordinate balance

Question 42

two types of deafness

Answer 42

conductive | neural

Question 43

conductive deafness

Answer 43

- when one of the mechanisms that transmit sound waves to the external ear do not work properly - often temporary, surgery

Question 44

neural deafness

Answer 44

- involves a problem w the inner ear, and is usually permanent - can be fixed w hearing aid, cochlear implant

Question 45

causes of deafness

Answer 45

- age - heredity - head/middle/inner ear injury

Question 46

symptoms of middle ear infection

Answer 46

- earache - fever - hearing loss

Question 47

treatment of middle ear infection

Answer 47

- antibiotics - eardrops - surgery