The Ear Terms Flashcards
Audiology
Study of hearing
Auditory Canal
Canal that leads from external opening of ear to eardrum
Auditory Tube
Another name for eustachian tube connecting middle ear and pharynx
Auricle
Also called ‘pinna’; external ear; functions to capture sound waves as they go past outer ear
Cerumen
Also called ‘earwax’; thick, waxy substance produced by oil glands in auditory canal; helps to protect and lubricate ear
Cochlea
Portion of labyrinth associated with hearing; is rolled in shape of snail shell; organs of Corti line cochlea
Cochlear Nerve
Branch of vestibulocochlear nerve that carries hearing information to brain
Conductive Hearing Loss
Loss of hearing as a result of blocking of sound transmission in middle ear and outer ear
Equilibrium
Sense of balance
Eustachian Tube
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
External Auditory Meatus
Opening into external ear canal
External Ear
Outermost portion of ear; consists of auricle, auditory canal, and eardrum
Hearing
One of special senses; sound waves detected by ear
Incus
One of three ossicles of middle ear; also called ‘anvil.’
Inner Ear
Innermost section of ear; contains cochlea, semicircular canals, saccule, and utricle
Labyrinth
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
Malleus
One of three ossicles of middle ear; also called ‘hammer.’
Middle Ear
Middle section of ear; contains ossicles
Organs of Corti
Sensory receptor hair cells lining cochlea; these cells change sound vibrations to electrical impulses and send impulses to brain via vestibulocochlear nerve
Ossicles
Three small bones in middle ear; bones are incus, malleus, and stapes; ossicles amplify and conduct sound waves to inner ear
Otology (Oto)
Study of ear
Oval Window
Division between middle and inner ear
Pinna
Also called ‘auricle’; external ear, which functions to capture sound waves as they go past outer ear
Saccule
Found in inner ear; plays role in equilibrium
Semicircular Canals
Portion of labyrinth associated with balance and equilibrium
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
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
Stapes
One of three ossicles of middle ear; attached to oval window leading to inner ear; also called ‘stirrup.’
Tympanic Membrane
Also called ‘eardrum’; as sound moves along auditory canal, it strikes tympanic membrane causing it to vibrate; this conducts sound wave into middle ear
Utricle
Found in inner ear; plays role in equilibrium
Vestibular Nerve
Branch of vestibulocochlear nerve responsible for sending equilibrium information to brain
Vestibulocochlear Nerve
Eighth cranial nerve; responsible for hearing and
balance
