Ear part 1

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to the anatomy and function of the ear, including its structure, sound properties, and hearing mechanisms.

Cochlea

A spiral, conical, bony chamber that contains the cochlear duct.

Epitympanic recess

The superior portion of middle ear (roof of cavity)

Mastoid antrum

canal for communication with mastoid air cells in mastoid process

Scala vestibule

One of the three chambers of the cochlea that contains perilymph.

Scala media

Also known as the cochlear duct, this contains endolymph.

Scala tympani

The chamber that terminates at the round window and contains perilymph.

Pharyngotympanic tube

Also called the eustachian tube, it connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx.

Tympanic membrane

Also known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound.

Auditory ossicles

Three small bones in the middle ear named malleus, incus, and stapes.

Malleus

The 'hammer', a bone secured to the eardrum.

Incus

The 'anvil', a bone situated between the malleus and stapes.

Stapes

The 'stirrup', a bone that fits into the oval window.

Tensor tympani muscle

A muscle that contracts to prevent damage to hearing receptors.

Stapedius muscle

A muscle that also protects hearing by controlling the stapes.

Bony labyrinth

A system of channels and cavities in the temporal bone.

Membranous labyrinth

A series of sacs and ducts within the bony labyrinth filled with endolymph.

Semicircular canals

Three canals in the inner ear that help with balance.

Ampulla

An enlarged area of the semicircular canals that contains equilibrium receptors.

Crista ampullaris

The receptor region in the ampulla that responds to head movements.

Vestibule

The central part of the bony labyrinth housing equilibrium receptors.

Saccule

A membranous sac in the vestibule continuous with the cochlear duct.

Utricle

A membranous sac in the vestibule continuous with the semicircular canals.

Maculae

Equilibrium receptor regions that respond to gravity and head movements.

Stria vascularis

The external wall of the cochlear duct that secretes endolymph.

Cochlear hair cells

Mechanosensitive cells in the spiral organ that send impulses to the brain.

Nerve VIII

Cochlear branch that transmits signals from the cochlea to the brain.

Otitis media

Middle ear inflammation frequently causing hearing loss in children.

Sound wave

A pressure disturbance produced by a vibrating object.

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a given point in a certain time.

Amplitude

The height of sound wave crests, perceived as loudness.

Decibels (dB)

Unit of measurement for sound intensity.

Pitch

Perception of frequencies; high frequency means high pitch.

Quality

Characteristic of sound that provides richness and complexity.

Tympanic cavity

A small, air-filled cavity in the temporal bone.

Mastoid antrum

Canal for communication with mastoid air cells.

Auricle (pinna)

The shell-shaped structure surrounding the ear canal.

External acoustic meatus

Short, curved tube that transmits sound waves to the eardrum.

Helix

The cartilaginous rim of the auricle.

Lobule

The fleshy lower part of the auricle.

Sound intensity

The strength of a sound wave perceived as loudness.

Normal hearing range

The frequency range of human hearing is typically 20-20,000 Hz.

Homeostatic imbalance

Disruption in normal physiological processes, e.g., otitis media.

Eardrum

Another term for the tympanic membrane, important for sound transmission.

Basilar membrane

A membrane that supports the spiral organ in the cochlea.

Spiral organ (organ of Corti)

The structure in the cochlea where sound vibrations are transduced.

Kinetic energy

Energy transferred when the object produces sound waves.

Compressions

Areas of high pressure in a sound wave.

Rarefactions

Areas of low pressure in a sound wave.

Wavelength

Distance between two consecutive sound wave crests.

Cochlear duct

The duct within the cochlea that houses the spiral organ.

Helicotrema

The apex of the cochlea where scala tympani and vestibuli meet.

Sound quality

Characteristic of sounds that differentiates various tones.

Mechanical receptors

Hair cells in the cochlea sensitive to sound vibrations.

Transmitted sound energy

Energy passed from the tympanic membrane to the auditory ossicles.

Auditory canal

Another term for external acoustic meatus, used to transmit sound.

Fibrous membrane

Tissue composing the tympanic membrane.

Sound pressure disturbance

A type of wave produced by vibrating objects.