Special Senses - Ear

A list of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the anatomy and physiology of the ear.

Auricle

The outer part of the ear, also known as the pinna, composed of elastic cartilage covered by skin that directs sound waves into the external auditory meatus.

Tympanic membrane

Also known as the eardrum, it is a funnel-shaped connective tissue membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound.

Auditory ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes) that transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window.

Cochlea

A spiral, bony structure in the inner ear that contains the cochlear duct and is responsible for hearing.

Perilymph

The fluid located in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear that surrounds the membranes of the membranous labyrinth.

Endolymph

The fluid within the membranous labyrinth that is rich in potassium and plays a crucial role in the functioning of the auditory and vestibular systems.

Vestibule

The cavity between the semicircular canals and cochlea that contains the saccule and utricle, which are involved in balance and equilibrium.

Semicircular canals

Three canals in the inner ear that are oriented in three planes and contain membranous ducts with equilibrium receptors called crista.

Otitis media

An inflammation or infection of the middle ear, which can lead to fluid accumulation and hearing loss.

Conduction deafness

A type of deafness caused by a blockage in the conduction of sound waves to the inner ear, often due to earwax, perforated eardrum, or otitis media.

Neural deafness

Deafness resulting from damage to the neural structures, ranging from cochlear hair cells to the auditory cortical cells.

Spiral organ (Organ of Corti)

The sensory structure located within the cochlear duct that contains hair cells responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals.

Auditory pathway

The neural pathway that transports auditory information from the cochlear branch of cranial nerve VIII to the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe.

Maculae

Sensory structures located in the saccule and utricle that respond to changes in head position and linear motion.

Crista

Equilibrium receptors located in the ampulla of semicircular canals that respond to rotational movements of the head.