Ear Anatomy and Medical Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering ear anatomy, auditory function, and related medical word parts.

aur/o

Combining form meaning ear.

auricul/o

Combining form meaning hearing (also referenced as ear).

ot/o

Combining form meaning ear.

audi/o

Combining form meaning hearing.

audit/o

Combining form meaning hearing.

acous/o

Combining form meaning hearing.

acoust/o

Combining form meaning hearing.

-acusis

Suffix meaning hearing.

-cusis

Suffix meaning hearing.

cerumen/o

Combining form meaning cerumen.

tympan/o

Combining form meaning eardrum.

myring/o

Combining form meaning eardrum.

staped/o

Combining form meaning stapes.

cochle/o

Combining form meaning cochlea (derived from the word meaning snail).

labyrinth/o

Combining form meaning maze, labyrinth.

Auricle (pinna)

The visible part of the external ear that captures sound waves.

Ear canal (auditory canal)

The tube in the external ear through which sound waves travel and where cerumen is produced.

Cerumen

Earwax produced in the auditory canal that traps dirt to help keep the ear clean.

Tympanic membrane

The eardrum, which vibrates when sound waves travel down the ear canal and hit it.

Malleus (hammer)

The first small bone of the middle ear, moved by the vibrations of the tympanic membrane.

Incus (anvil)

The second small bone of the middle ear, moved by the malleus.

Stapes (stirrup)

The third small bone of the middle ear that rests against the cochlea and causes fluid within the cochlea to vibrate when it moves.

Cochlea

A snail-shell-like structure in the inner ear labyrinth containing fluid and tiny hairs that translate vibrations into electrical impulses.

Labyrinth

The maze-like structure of the inner ear containing the cochlea, semicircular canals, and vestibule.

Semicircular canals and vestibule

Inner ear structures within the labyrinth responsible for maintaining balance.

Eustachian tube

An inner ear structure that allows fluid to drain from the middle ear to the nasopharynx and equalizes pressure within the ear.

Auditory nerve

The nerve that picks up electrical impulses from the cochlea and transmits them to the brain.

Anatomy of the Ear Diagram

Diagram illustrating external ear structures (auricle, cerumen, ear canal), middle ear, inner ear, and the Eustachian tube.

Ossicles and Inner Ear Structures Diagram

Diagram displaying the tympanic membrane, malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), stapes (stirrup), vestibule and semicircular canals, cochlea, and auditory nerve.

Ear Word Parts Table

Reference chart listing combining forms and suffixes associated with the ear and hearing along with their definitions.