Chapter 25: Special Senses - Hearing and Equilibrium

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to hearing and equilibrium as discussed in Chapter 25.

Auricle (Pinna)

The skin-covered cartilaginous structure that encircles the opening of the auditory canal.

External Acoustic Meatus

The short, narrow canal through the temporal bone that channels sound waves to the eardrum.

Tympanic Membrane

The eardrum that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and converts sound waves into vibrations.

Auditory Ossicles

The smallest bones in the body (malleus, incus, stapes) that transfer vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Pharyngotympanic (Eustachian) Tube

A tube that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and helps equalize pressure.

Vestibule

Part of the inner ear that contains the sac-like utricle and saccule, involved in static equilibrium.

Semicircular Canals

Three canals in the inner ear that contain fluid and are responsible for dynamic equilibrium.

Cochlea

A part of the inner ear responsible for hearing, containing the Organ of Corti.

Perilymph

Aqueous fluid that fills the bony labyrinth of the inner ear.

Endolymph

Viscous fluid that fills the ducts of the membranous labyrinth.

Macula

The sensory receptors located in the utricle and saccule involved in static equilibrium.

Crista Ampullaris

The structure within the ampulla of semicircular canals that monitors dynamic equilibrium.

Organ of Corti

The sensory organ located in the cochlea that contains hair cells responsible for hearing.

Hair Cells

Sensory receptors in the inner ear associated with sensory neurons that detect sound and balance.

Nystagmus

Involuntary eye movements produced in response to rotating movements,

Vertigo

A sensation of dizziness often accompanying nystagmus.

Weber Test

A hearing test used to determine sensorineural or conduction deafness.

Rinne Test

A hearing test comparing bone and air conduction.