The Ear Flashcards
What structures make up the external ear?
Auricle and external acoustic meatus
What structures are within the inner ear?
Malleus, incus and stapes
What structures are within the inner ear?
Vestibule, cochlea
Where is the ear located?
Within the dense petrous portion of the temporal bone
What is the auricle of the external ear composed of?
Integument covered and elastic cartilage
What is the concha of the auricle?
Deep depression found in the auricle
What is the blood supply to the external ear?
Posterior auricular and superficial temporal
What part of the external ear does not have cartilage?
Lobule
What provides sensory innervation to the external ear?
Greater auricular nerve and auriculotemporal nerve
Describe the external acoustic meatus
Canal leading to the TM
Contains ceruminous glands (make wax) and sebaceous glands in the integument
Cartilage beneath supports the outer portion of the canal
Describe the tympanic membrane
Semi transparent membrane
Outside layer lined with stratified squamous epithelium
Inside layer lined with simple cuboidal epithelium
Moves with sound and transmits to ossicles
What is the innervation to the TM?
External surface by auriculotemporal N
Inner surface by small branch of V3 and by small auricular branch of vagus nerve
What is the shape of the TM?
Cone shaped with the tip (the umbo) oriented toward the external acoustic meatus
Perforated TM is often due to what?
Abnormal increase in medial ear pressure because of fluid or barotrauma
External trauma
How is perforated tympanic treated?
Most heal but may need follow up with Abx (avoid gentamicin bc it can damage hair cells)
What are the two parts of the middle ear (tympanic cavity)?
Tympanic cavity proper and epitympanic recess
What wall is the roof of the middle ear?
Tegmental wall
What wall is the floor of the middle ear?
Jugular wall
What forms the lateral wall of the middle ear?
Membranous wall
What forms the medial wall of the middle ear?
Labyrinthe wall
What forms the posterior wall of the middle ear?
Mastoid wall
What forms the anterior wall of the middle ear?
Carotid wall - near opening of pharyngotympanic tube and canal for tensor tympani
Describe the pharyngotympanic (Eustachian) tube
Connects TM with nasopharynx
Posterior lateral part is bone but remainder is cartilaginous (elastic)
Functions to equalize pressures
What opens the pharyngotympanic tube?
Levator veli palatine, tensor veli palatine and salpingopharyngeus muscles
The auditory ossicles run from the TM to what?
The oval window of the cochlea
What does the malleus articulate with?
Incus
Also connected to the TM