Parts of the ear

HSC Unit 4

eardrum (tympanic membrane)

thin layer of tissue that receives sound vibrations and transmits them to the middle ear cavity. border between the external and inner parts of the ear

stapes / incus / malleus

small bones that amplify the sound waves and transmit the vibrations across the middle ear to the cochlea

cochlea

contains a jelly like fluid in a coiled tube that resembles a snail shell. vibrations pass through the fluid and are converted to neural messages which are passes to the brain via the auditory nerve

organ of corti

located in the cochlea, sometimes called the bodys microphone. its lined with rows of hair cells that convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses

estuchian tube

connects middle ear to the throat and ensures pressure in the middle ear is equal to pressure outside the ear. it equalises air pressure between the middle ear and the outside world via the mouth.

round window

a drum like membrane. vibrations from the oval window pass through it to the cochlea

auditory nerve

a bundle of nerve fibres that carry hearing information between the cochlea and the brain

semi circular canals and ampullae

tiny fluid filled tubes in the inner ear that help with balance. theyre lined with cilia. cilia movements are communicated to the brain and so they work as a kind of motion sensor to keep balance.

inner ear consists of…

cochlea, and semicircular canals, round window