Ear Anatomy

Outer Ear

The external visible part of the ear including the auricle (pinna) and external acoustic meatus.

Auricle (Pinna)

The part of the outer ear that is visible and collects sound.

External Acoustic Meatus

A canal that conducts sound waves from the outer ear to the tympanic membrane.

Tympanic Membrane

Also known as the eardrum; it marks the end of the outer ear and the beginning of the middle ear.

Eustachian Tube

A tube that connects the middle ear to the throat, helping to equalize pressure.

Ossicles

Three tiny bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that transmit sound vibrations.

Malleus

Also known as the hammer; the ossicle that connects to the tympanic membrane.

Incus

Also known as the anvil; the middle ossicle that transmits vibrations between the malleus and stapes.

Stapes

Also known as the stirrup; the ossicle that connects to the oval window.

Oval Window

A membrane-covered opening that leads from the middle ear to the cochlea.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that translates sound vibrations into neural signals.

Semicircular Canals

Three fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that help maintain balance and orientation.

Vestibule

A part of the inner ear that provides information about linear acceleration and includes the utricle and saccule.

Utricle

A part of the vestibule that detects horizontal acceleration.

Saccule

A part of the vestibule that detects vertical acceleration.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve

The cranial nerve responsible for transmitting sound and equilibrium information from the inner ear to the brain.

Organ of Corti

The sensory organ within the cochlea responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals.

Auditory Input Processing

The processing of auditory information by the temporal lobe of the brain.

Linear Acceleration

Changes in speed or direction experienced in a straight line, detected by the vestibule.