The Ear Flashcards
What is the cochlea?
The cochlea is the organ of hearing
What is the function of the saccule, utricle and semicircular ducts?
Organ of balance. Register changes in body position, especially those of the head.
What parts can the ear be divided into?
- external ear
- middle ear
- internal ear
What does the external ear consist of?
The auricle and the external acoustic meatus
What does the middle ear consist of?
The tympanic cavity, mastoid cells (air cells) and the auditory tube (eustachian tube)
What is the auditory tube?
A tube that connects the pharynx with the tympanic cavity. It is lined by ciliated epithelium.
The tendon if what muscle is attached to the manubrium of the malleus?
Tensor tympani muscle
What is the role of the auditory tube?
Communication with the pharynx.
Exchange of air and equilibrium of pressure in middle ear.
The opening of the auditory tube only happens when the pharyngeal muscles contract (swallowing).
What does the inner ear consist of?
Bony labyrinth which contains the membranous labyrinth and the internal acoustic meatus.
What kind of cartilage is the auricle?
Elastic cartilage
What kind of glands lie beneath the epidermis of the external auditory canal?
Ceruminous glands
What is the covering of the tympanic membrane externally and internally?
Externally: skin
Internally: mucosa
What is the nerve supply of the outer ear?
- Auriculotemporal nerve, which branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (anterior)
- Facial nerve (posteriorly)
- Vagus and glossopharyngeal
What is the blood supply of the outer ear?
External carotid artery:
- anterior and posterior auricular branches.
Through which openings does the middle ear communicate with the internal ear?
Oval window (vestibular window) and round window (cochlear window)
What are the mastoid air cells?
Air-containing cavities lined with mucosa in the superior portion of the tympanic cavity. They form a system of chambers that penetrate the entire mastoid bone.
What are the auditory ossicles?
The ear bones that together with the eardrum form the sound-conducting apparatus. They are the malleus, incus and stapes
Which auditory bone is attached to the tympanic membrane?
The malleus by its manubrium.