Ear Anatomy and Senses Flashcards

Vocabulary terms covering the anatomy and physiological functions of the outer, middle, and inner ear based on manual pages 87-89.

Hearing (auditory)

The ability to perceive sound

Balance (equilibrium)

One of the two primary senses detected by the ear.

Three Ear Sections

The divisions of the ear: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

Auricle (pinna)

A structure of the outer ear.

External auditory (acoustic) canal

A passage in the outer ear.

Tympanic membrane

Another word for the eardrum, located in the middle ear.

Ossicles

The three bones of the middle ear: the Malleus, incus, and stapes.

Malleus

One of the three bones (ossicles) found in the middle ear.

Incus

One of the three bones (ossicles) found in the middle ear.

Stapes

One of the three bones (ossicles) found in the middle ear.

Auditory (Eustachian) tube

A tube found in the middle ear/inner ear region.

Temporal bone

The bone associated with components of the outer ear.

Oval window

A middle ear structure located under the stapes.

Round window

A membrane covered opening between the middle ear and the Cochlear in the inner ear

Semicircular canals

Structures found within the inner ear.

Cochlea

part of the inner ear that looks like a tiny snail shell and transforms sound waves into signals your brain can understand as hearing

Vestibule

The central cavity of the inner ear that senses gravity and straight-line motion to maintain balance

Vestibular nerve

A nerve located in the inner ear.

Cochlear nerves

Nerves located in the inner ear.

Vestibulocochlear nerve

A nerve structure associated with the inner ear.

Membranous labyrinth

The fluid filled tubing system that lines the inner ear

Osseous/bony labyrinth

A component of the inner ear cross section.

Scala vestibuli

One of the channels identified in an inner ear cross section.

Scala tympani

the lower fluid filled compartment of the cochlea

Cochlear duct

A structure found in the cross section of the inner ear.

Organ of corti (spiral organ)

A specialized structure within the inner ear cross section.