The_Ear-HHSC

Ear

Organ that houses the senses of hearing and equilibrium.

Hearing

Sense that enables the perception of sound.

Equilibrium

Sense that helps maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

External ear

Outer part of the ear involved primarily in hearing.

Middle ear

Air-filled cavity that conducts sound to the inner ear.

Inner ear

Complex structure housing the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals; involved in hearing and balance.

Tympanic membrane

Also known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound.

Ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear: malleus, incus, stapes.

Cochlea

Spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that converts sound vibrations into neural signals.

Vestibular apparatus

Part of the inner ear responsible for balance and spatial orientation.

Static equilibrium

Maintaining balance when stationary.

Dynamic equilibrium

Maintaining balance during movement.

Maculae

Sensory receptors in the vestibule that detect static equilibrium.

Crista ampullaris

Receptor in the semicircular canals that detects dynamic equilibrium.

Gustation

The sense of taste.

Taste buds

Sensory structures on the tongue sensitive to taste stimuli.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that detect chemical stimuli in taste and smell.

Olfaction

The sense of smell.

Olfactory receptor neurons

Bipolar neurons in the nasal cavity responsible for the sense of smell.

Anosmia

Total lack of the ability to smell.