Anatomy of the Middle Ear

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is the primary function of the auditory ossicles in the middle ear?

To produce sound waves
To detect changes in air pressure in the nasal pharynx
To transmit vibrations of the tympanic membrane to the internal ear (correct)
To regulate air pressure in the tympanic cavity

Which structure separates the canals in the middle ear?

Thin, bony septum (correct)
Tensor tympani muscle
Auditory tube
Tympanic membrane

What is the purpose of the auditory tube in the middle ear?

To connect the middle ear to the nasal pharynx (correct)
To regulate air pressure in the tympanic cavity
To produce sound waves
To transmit sound vibrations to the internal ear

What is the name of the small, hollow, conical projection on the posterior wall of the middle ear?

Pyramid (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the tensor tympani muscle in the middle ear?

To tense the tympanic membrane (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the rounded projection on the greater part of the medial wall of the middle ear?

Promontory (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the semicircular ducts?

Conical, resembling a snail shell (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the basilar membrane and vestibular membrane?

To divide the semicircular ducts into three chambers (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the head moving or changing speed?

The endolymph in the semicircular ducts changes its speed relative to the walls of the semicircular ducts (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the membrane that separates the scala vestibuli from the scala media?

Reissner's membrane (B) Signup and view all the answers

How many turns does the partition of the semicircular ducts make around its bony core?

Two and a half turns (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the shape of the Fenestra vestibule?

Oval (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Auditory tube?

To equalize air pressure in the middle ear (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the processus cochleariformis?

To support the tensor tympani (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the prominence of the facial nerve canal?

Above the promontory and the fenestra vestibule (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Tegmen tympani?

To separate the tympanic cavity from the middle cranial fossa (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which structure separates the tympanic cavity from the ICA?

Thin plate of bone (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the auriculotemporal nerve and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve?

To provide sensory innervation to the tympanic membrane (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the small triangular area on the tympanic membrane bounded by the anterior and posterior malleolar folds?

Pars flaccida (B) Signup and view all the answers

What separates the perilymph from the middle ear in the scala vestibuli?

Base of the stapes and the anular ligament (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three auditory ossicles?

Malleus, incus, and stapes (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the basilar membrane?

To divide the cochlear canal into scala vestibuli and scala tympani (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of the labyrinth?

In the petrous part of the temporal bone, medial to the middle ear (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that connects the cochlear duct to the saccule?

Ductus reuniens (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the cochlea is responsible for analyzing audio frequencies?

Organ of Corti (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the outer hair cells in the Organ of Corti?

To regulate the apposition of the tectorial membrane to the inner hair cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the cochlea is responsible for transmitting sound signals to the auditory nerve?

Inner hair cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of pressure wave propagation in the cochlea?

From the scala media to the round window (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the response of spiral ganglion cells to sound?

Frequency-dependent (D) Signup and view all the answers