The Ear Terms

Question 1

Audiology

Answer 1

Study of hearing

Question 2

Auditory Canal

Answer 2

Canal that leads from external opening of ear to eardrum

Question 3

Auditory Tube

Answer 3

Another name for eustachian tube connecting middle ear and pharynx

Question 4

Auricle

Answer 4

Also called ‘pinna’; external ear; functions to capture sound waves as they go past outer ear

Question 5

Cerumen

Answer 5

Also called ‘earwax’; thick, waxy substance produced by oil glands in auditory canal; helps to protect and lubricate ear

Question 6

Cochlea

Answer 6

Portion of labyrinth associated with hearing; is rolled in shape of snail shell; organs of Corti line cochlea

Question 7

Cochlear Nerve

Answer 7

Branch of vestibulocochlear nerve that carries hearing information to brain

Question 8

Conductive Hearing Loss

Answer 8

Loss of hearing as a result of blocking of sound transmission in middle ear and outer ear

Question 9

Equilibrium

Answer 9

Sense of balance

Question 10

Eustachian Tube

Answer 10

Tube or canal that connects middle ear with nasopharynx and allows for balance of pressure between outer and middle ear; infection can travel via mucous membranes of eustachian tube, resulting in middle ear infections

Question 11

External Auditory Meatus

Answer 11

Opening into external ear canal

Question 12

External Ear

Answer 12

Outermost portion of ear; consists of auricle, auditory canal, and eardrum

Question 13

Hearing

Answer 13

One of special senses; sound waves detected by ear

Question 14

Incus

Answer 14

One of three ossicles of middle ear; also called ‘anvil.’

Question 15

Inner Ear

Answer 15

Innermost section of ear; contains cochlea, semicircular canals, saccule, and utricle

Question 16

Labyrinth

Answer 16

Term referring to inner ear; several fluid-filled cavities within temporal bone; labyrinth consists of cochlea, vestibule, and three semicircular canals; hair cells called organs of Corti line inner ear; hair cells change sound vibrations to electrical impulses and send impulses to brain via vestibulocochlear nerve

Question 17

Malleus

Answer 17

One of three ossicles of middle ear; also called ‘hammer.’

Question 18

Middle Ear

Answer 18

Middle section of ear; contains ossicles

Question 19

Organs of Corti

Answer 19

Sensory receptor hair cells lining cochlea; these cells change sound vibrations to electrical impulses and send impulses to brain via vestibulocochlear nerve

Question 20

Ossicles

Answer 20

Three small bones in middle ear; bones are incus, malleus, and stapes; ossicles amplify and conduct sound waves to inner ear

Question 21

Otology (Oto)

Answer 21

Study of ear

Question 22

Oval Window

Answer 22

Division between middle and inner ear

Question 23

Pinna

Answer 23

Also called ‘auricle’; external ear, which functions to capture sound waves as they go past outer ear

Question 24

Saccule

Answer 24

Found in inner ear; plays role in equilibrium

Question 25

Semicircular Canals

Answer 25

Portion of labyrinth associated with balance and equilibrium

Question 26

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Answer 26

Type of hearing loss in which sound is conducted normally through external and middle ear but there is a defect in inner ear or with cochlear nerve, resulting in inability to hear; hearing aid may help

Question 27

Stapes

Answer 27

One of three ossicles of middle ear; attached to oval window leading to inner ear; also called ‘stirrup.’

Question 28

Tympanic Membrane

Answer 28

Also called ‘eardrum’; as sound moves along auditory canal, it strikes tympanic membrane causing it to vibrate; this conducts sound wave into middle ear

Question 29

Utricle

Answer 29

Found in inner ear; plays role in equilibrium

Question 30

Vestibular Nerve

Answer 30

Branch of vestibulocochlear nerve responsible for sending equilibrium information to brain

Question 31

Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Answer 31

Eighth cranial nerve; responsible for hearing and

balance