Unit4- 6.2~ Structure of the ear

Question 1

What components make up the ear?

Answer 1

• external
• middle
• inner ear
• eardrum
• stapes/incus/malleus ear bones
• cochlea
• organ of Corti
• Eustachian tube
• round window
• auditory nerve
• semi-circular canals
• ampullae

Question 2

Explain the outer ear?

Answer 2

• Collects and funnels sound to the eardrum and protecting the ear canal
• Compromises of pinna and external auditory canal
• Pinna collects sound waves and tunnels them to external auditory canal
• Goes from auditory canal and hits tympanic membrane (ear drum), it then vibrates

Question 3

Explain the middle ear?

Answer 3

• Incldues tympanic cavity and 3 bones called the ossicles
• 3 bones are stapes, incus, malleus
• Eardrum vibrates, it mvoes the ossicles which amplifies sound vibrations and sends them to the oval window

Question 4

Explain the inner eye?

Answer 4

• Contains the cochlea & semicircular canals, both filed ith fluid
• Cochlea converts mechanical sound vibrations to electrical signals, transmitted to the brain by the auditory nerve
• Semicircular canals maintain our equilibrium/ sense of balance

Question 5

What is the role of the eardrum?

Answer 5

• Seperates the outer ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound waves
• Also acts as a protective barrier, keeping the middle ear from dirt, debris and bacteria

Question 6

What is the role of the stapes?

Answer 6

The conduction of sound vibrations to the inner ear. This bone is connected to the oval window by annular ligament, which allows the footplate to transmit sound energy through the oval window into the inner ear

Question 6

What is the role of the incus?

Answer 6

The middle of three small bones in the middle ear. The incus transmits vibrations from the malleus to the stapes

Question 7

What is the role of the malleus?

Answer 7

Largest of the 3 bones. It functions with other bones to transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear

Question 8

What is the role of the cochlea?

Answer 8

• Filled with a fluid that moves in response to the vibrations of the oval window
• As fluid moves, 25,000 nerve endings are set into motion. These nerve endings transform the vibrations into electrical impulses that travels along the auditory nerve to the brain

Question 9

What is the role of the organ of corti?

Answer 9

• Contributes to audition. It includes 3 rows of outer hair cells and 1 row of inner hair cells
• Vibrations caused by sound waves bend the stereocilia on these hair cells via an electromechanical force

Question 10

What is the role of the eustachian tube?

Answer 10

• Ventilation or pressure regulation of the middle ear
• Protection of the middle ear from the secretions and sound pressures
• Clearance or drainage of middle ear secretions

Question 11

What is the role of the round window?

Answer 11

• A natural opening in the inner ear that plays a role in hearing and inner ear mechanics
• Releases acoustic energy that enters the cochlea through the oval window

Question 12

What is the role of the autidory nerve?

Answer 12

• The cochlea nerve (acoustic nerve), is the sensory nerve that transfers auditory information from the cochlea to the brain
• One of the pieces that makes up the auditory system, enabling effective hearing

Question 13

What is the role of the semicircular canals?

Answer 13

• Are 3 tiny ampullae filled tubes in the inner ear to keep our balance
• When head moves around, the liquid inside sloshes and moves the tiny hairs that line each canal

Question 14

What is the role of the ampullae?

Answer 14

• Organ that helps with balance and spatial orientation
• contains sensory hairs that detects head rotation

Question 15

What is the role of the pinna?

Answer 15

• Portion of the outer ear. It collects sound waves and channels them into the ear canal

Question 16

What is the role of the auditory canal?

Answer 16

An entrway for sound waves