ear functions

external ear

gathers sound energy and focuses it on the eardrum, or tympanic membrane

middle ear

transmit sound waves from the external environment to the inner ear

inner ear

transform the vibrations into electrical impulses that then travel along the eighth cranial nerve (auditory nerve) to the brain.

organ of corti

converting sound waves into electrical signals that can be transmitted to the brain

hair cells

they translate vibrations into signals that the nervous system can understand

vestibular membrane

helps to transmit vibrations from fluid in the vestibular duct to the cochlear duct

cochlear duct

Conversion sound waves into electrical signals

tectorial membrane

reinforce the traveling waves of vibration

basilar membrane

to separate sound into different frequencies

tympanic duct

transmits vibrations from the eardrum to the basilar membrane

vestibular duct

conducts sound vibrations to the cochlear duct

endolymph

sensation and transmission of balance, hearing, and position information

perilymph

transmit sound vibrations from the middle ear to the sensory hair cells of the cochlea

pinna

collects sound waves and channels them into the ear canal

external auditory canal

transmitting sound waves to the eardrum, or tympanic membrane

tympanic membrane

sound transmission, and amplification

malleus

relay the vibrations of the incoming soundwaves produced by the eardrum to the incus

incus

transmits vibrations from the malleus to the stapes

stapes

transmits sound vibrations from the incus to the oval window

oval window

allowing sound to be transferred from air (outer ear) to liquid (cochlea)

cochlea

to transform the vibrations of the cochlear liquids and associated structures into a neural signal.

round window

to aid fluid motion within the cochlea and serve to equalize the hydraulic pressure

semicircular canals

help you keep your balance

auditory tube

to equalize air pressure between the atmosphere and the middle ear