Anatomy of Ear

auricle, external auditory canal, lobule

outer ear

tympanic membrane, malleus, incus, stapes

middle ear

semicircular canals, vestibule, cochlea, round window, tensor tympani muscle, pharyngotympanic tube

inner ear

malleus, incus, stapes

auditory ossicles

auricle (pinna)

Outer visible part of the ear that collects and directs sound into the ear canal

external auditory canal

Tube that carries sound from the outer ear to the eardrum

lobule

Soft, fleshy lower part of the ear (earlobe) with no cartilage

tympanic membrane

Thin membrane (eardrum) that vibrates when sound waves hit

malleus

Small middle ear bone (hammer) that transfers vibrations from the eardrum to the incus

incus

Small middle ear bone (anvil) that passes vibrations from the malleus to the stapes

stapes (covering oval window)

Small middle ear bone (stirrup) that transmits vibrations from the incus to the inner ear

semicircular canals

Fluid-filled inner ear structures that detect head movement and help with balance

vestibule

Central part of the inner ear that helps detect head position and balance

vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

Nerve that carries hearing and balance information from the inner ear to the brain

cochlea

Spiral-shaped inner ear structure that converts sound vibrations into nerve signals for hearing

round window

Flexible membrane in the inner ear that relieves pressure from sound vibrations

tensor tympani muscle

: Middle ear muscle that tightens the eardrum to reduce loud sound vibrations

pharyngotympanic tube (to pharynx)

Tube that connects the middle ear to the throat to equalize air pressure