Ear Anatomy Worksheet

Nine vocabulary flashcards covering key ear structures and their functions.

Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane)

Thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits the vibrations to the ossicles.

Auditory Tube (Eustachian Tube)

Passageway connecting the pharynx to the tympanic cavity, equalizing air pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

Vestibule

Central cavity of the bony labyrinth that detects linear (straight-line) acceleration and balance.

Semicircular Canals

Three looped structures in the inner ear that detect rotational (angular) movements and maintain balance.

Cochlea

Spiral-shaped organ of hearing that converts sound vibrations into nerve impulses.

Ossicles (Malleus, Incus, Stapes)

Three small bones in the middle ear that amplify and convey sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Auricle (Pinna)

External, shell-shaped part of the ear that collects sound from the environment and funnels it into the auditory canal.

Endolymph

Potassium-rich fluid contained within the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear, essential for both hearing and balance functions.

Tectorial Membrane

Gel-like membrane that overlays the hair cells of the Organ of Corti in the cochlea, aiding in sound transduction.