Ear Anatomy Review

What are the auditory ossicles responsible for? Describe their order

Transmit sound vibrations

malleus → incus → stapes

Which oscicle can be visualized during an exam?

Arm of malleus

How should the tympanic membrane look like?

thin, translucent, pearly gray

What is the “cone of light”

the reflection of the otoscope on the membrane

How do vibrations move thru the ear?

tympanic membrane → ossicles → oval window → inner ear

What is the purpose of the eustachian tube?

Equalizes air pressure on both sides of tympanic membrane and connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx

This prevents pressure imbalance and promotes normal hearing!!

What is conductive hearing?

Sound transmission through the external and middle ear

What is sensorineural hearing?

Sound processing in the inner ear + auditory nerve

Can sound travel through bone?

Yes - via bone conduction. It’s not as efficient as air, but it helps augment normal sound transmission