Biology 30: Nervous System: Ear Functions

Pinna

Outer visible part of the ear; collects and channels sound waves into the auditory canal.

Auditory Canal

Tube that funnels sound waves from the pinna to the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)

Thin membrane that vibrates when hit by sound waves, passing vibrations to middle ear bones.

Ossicles (Malleus, Incus, Stapes)

Three small bones (hammer, anvil, stirrup) that amplify and transmit vibrations to the inner ear.

Eustachian Tube

Equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere.

Cochlea

Snail-shaped inner ear structure containing hair cells that convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses.

Organ of Corti

Structure inside the cochlea containing mechanoreceptors (hair cells) that detect sound vibrations.

Auditory Nerve

Transmits electrical hearing signals from the cochlea to the temporal lobe of the brain.

Semicircular Canals

Fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that maintain dynamic balance and rotational equilibrium.

Vestibule

Inner ear chamber containing the saccule and utricle; maintains static balance and head position sensing.

Oval Window

Pushes inward when recieves amplified vibrations from ossicles.