ear

Auricle/Pinna

Collects sound waves and funnels them into the ear.

Auditory Canal/External Auditory Meatus

Channels sound waves towards the eardrum.

Eardrum/Tympanic Membrane

Vibrates when hit by sound waves and transfers vibrations to the ossicles.

Auditory Ossicles

Mechanical linkages between tympanic membrane and inner ear.

Stapes

The ossicle that hits the oval window.

Auditory Tube/Eustachian Tube

Equalizes air pressure on either side of the eardrum.

Labyrinth

Communicating chambers and tubes in the inner ear.

Vestibule Utricle & Saccule

Membranous sacs with receptors for the sensation of gravity.

Semicircular Canals

Three tubes that detect movement in 3D space and maintain equilibrium.

Cochlea

Converts stimuli from the environment into nerve impulses for the brain.

Organ of Corti

Located in the center of the cochlea, contains hair cells that respond to sound vibrations.

Vestibulocochlear (Auditory) Nerve

Transmits auditory information from the cochlea to the brain.

Static Equilibrium

Maintains stability and posture.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Balance during sudden movement or rotation.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain that interprets impulses from the semicircular canals and vestibule to maintain balance.

Describe the path sound waves take within the ear and are eventually processed by the brain 

1. Sound waves enter external auditory canal 

2. Eardrum vibrates 

3. Auditory ossicles amplify vibrations 

4. Stapes hits oval window and transmits vibrations to cochlea 

5. Organ of corti contains receptor cells that deform from vibrations

6. Impulses sent to the auditory nerve 

7. Auditory cortex of temporal lobe interprets sensory impulses 

8. Round window dissipates vibrations within cochlea