Ear Function and Structure

MI

cochlea

sound vibrations from the last bone of the middle ear are transmitted into this structure, which conducts the information to the brain through a nerve

malleus

this bone is attached to the tympanic membrane

pinna

cup-shaped, cartilaginous structure that gathers sound waves from the environment

tympanic membrane

this layer of skin/tissue separates the outer ear from the middle ear—it vibrates when struck by a sound wave

vestibular nerve

tied into the apparatus that helps with balance, this nerve can conduct information into the brain

stapes

this structure attached to the membrane-covered opening that connects the middle ear with the inner ear

eustachian tube

tube leading from the base of the middle ear to the back of your nose and upper part of your throat

internal auditory canal

sound travels down this canal to the tympanic membrane

incus

this structure is found within the middle of the chain of bones

oval window

structure on the cochlea that receives sound vibrations from the last bone of the middle ear

auditory nerve

tied into the hair cells lining the cochlea and this structure can convert the vibrations into electrical impulses to be transmitted to the brain

semicircular canals/vestibular apparatus

this structure detects motion by the movement of hair cells within it and can transmit this information to the brain to help us maintain our balance

1

pinna

2

internal auditory cavity

3

tympanic membrane

5

round window

6

eustachian tube

7

cochlea

8

top arrow: vestibular nerve

bottom arrow: cochlear/auditory nerve

9

semicircular canal/vestibular apparatus

11

stapes

12

incus

13

malleus