Ear - Anatomy and Physiology Test #3

pinna

visible outer part of the ear; it collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal

external auditory canal

channel sound waves collected by the pinna towards the eardrum

tympanic membrane

receives sound vibrations from the external ear canal, converts them into mechanical vibrations, and then transmits these vibrations across the middle ear to the inner ear

ceruminous glands

glands located in the external auditory canal that produce earwax (cerumen) to protect and lubricate the ear

middle ear

transmit sound waves from the outer ear to the inner ear, specifically to the cochlea; contains the ossicles, which amplify sound vibrations; air filled cavity - temporal lobe

auditory ossicles

mallus incus stapes three small bones in the middle ear that amplify and transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window of the cochlea

oval window

acting as a bridge between the middle and inner ear: a membrane-covered opening that transfers sound vibrations from the auditory ossicles into the cochlea

eustachian tube

a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx, allows air to leave middle ear; helps to balance atmospheric pressure

internal ear

the innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea and vestibular system, responsible for hearing and balance

decibels

the unit used to measure the intensity of a sound

cochlea

a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals; converts sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound

transduction

converting one form of energy or information into another, such as a stimulus into an electrical signal

equilibrium

the state of balance within the body's inner ear that helps maintain stability and orientation.

semicircular canals

with ampulla - detects head position in response to gravity

utricle

horizontal plane - otoliths

saccule

vertical plane - otoliths

otoliths

sensing changes in the position and acceleration of the head, providing the brain with information about linear motion and gravity, which is crucial for balance and spatial awareness