30 Questions
Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sensory innervation of the auricle's cranial surface?
Vagus nerve
What is the name of the air-filled space in the middle ear?
Tympanic cavity
Which artery supplies blood to the auricle?
Auricular artery
Where are the ceruminous glands located?
In the external acoustic meatus
Which nerve provides motor innervation to the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the auricle?
Facial nerve
What is the function of the tympanic cavity in the middle ear?
Conduction of sound waves
What is the function of the Eustachian Tube?
Equalizes air pressure between the middle ear and nasal cavity
Which nerve innervates the Tensor tympani muscle?
Mandibular nerve
Where does the malleus attach to the Tympanic Membrane?
At the umbo
What is the composition of the Tympanic Membrane?
Connective tissue core, skin exterior, and mucous membrane interior
What is the function of the stapedius muscle?
Equalizes air pressure in the middle ear
What is the function of the Middle Ear?
To transmit vibrations from the external acoustic meatus to the inner ear
Which wall separates the tympanic cavity from the internal ear?
Medial Wall (Labyrinthine)
What is the function of the Tympanic Plexus?
Innervates the mucosa lining the walls and contents of the tympanic cavity
What is the clinical correlate associated with the Tegmental Wall (Roof)?
Middle ear infections may spread to meninges
What is the entrance for the tympanic nerve (Glossopharyngeal nerve)?
Internal aperture of tympanic canal
Which structure is sealed by the secondary tympanic membrane (round window membrane)?
Round window
What divides the mandibular fossa into two parts?
Petrotympanic fissure
Where are the cell bodies of neurons located which send peripheral axons to innervate the auditory hair cells in the organ of Corti?
Cochlear nerve
Which nerve is responsible for balance?
Vestibular nerve
Which area of the brain is associated with language processing?
Primary auditory cortex
Which part of the ear contains sensory receptors for linear acceleration and the pull of gravity?
Utricle & saccule
What is the longest human osseous canal of a nerve located in the temporal bone?
Facial nerve canal
Where do the efferent fibers from the vestibular system descend to?
Spinal cord
Which structure of the inner ear is responsible for balance?
Semicircular Canals
What divides the cochlear duct into Scala vestibuli and Scala typani?
Basal lamina
Which nerve innervates the inner ear and is responsible for hearing?
Cochlear Nerve
Which part of the ear amplifies vibrations and converts them into electrical signals?
Ossicles
Where are the hair cells located in the inner ear for detecting high-pitched sounds?
At the base of the cochlea
What is the continuous system of ducts filled with endolymph within the bony labyrinth called?
Membranous Labyrinth
Study Notes
- The Ear's Tympanic Cavity is part of the outer ear and houses the Tympanic Membrane.
- The Inner Ear consists of the Bony Labyrinth and the Membranous Labyrinth.
- The Bony Labyrinth is a series of bony cavities within the petrous part of the temporal bone, including the Cochlea, Vestibule, and Semicircular Canals.
- The Membranous Labyrinth is a continuous system of ducts filled with endolymph and lies within the bony labyrinth. It includes the Cochlear Duct, the organ of hearing, and the Utricle and Saccule, organs of balance.
- The Inner Ear's Cochlea is a snail-shell shaped structure with a canal called the cochlear duct, which winds spirally around the central axis for 23/4 turns. The cochlear duct is divided into two passageways, the Scala vestibuli and Scala typani, by the basal lamina.
- The Scala vestibuli and Scala typani are continuous with the vestibule and separated from each other by the helicotrema at the apex of the modiolus.
- The Cochlea contains the Organ of Corti, Reissner's membrane, Tectorial membrane, and Basilar membrane.
- The Semicircular Canals are bony structures that project posterosuperiorly from the vestibule and each forms 2/3rds of a circle. Each canal contains a semicircular duct and empties into the utricle.
- The Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII) innervates the inner ear and divides into the vestibular nerve and the cochlear nerve. The vestibular nerve is responsible for balance and the cochlear nerve is responsible for hearing.
- Sound waves travel through the ear and cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate, which is transmitted to the fluid of the inner ear through the oval window. The auditory ossicles amplify these vibrations and convert them into electrical signals, which transfer information to the auditory pathway in the brain.
- Hair cells in the inner ear are frequency-specific, with high-pitched sounds stimulating hair cells at the base of the cochlea and low-frequency sounds stimulating hair cells at the apex.
Test your knowledge of ear anatomy and the development of acute otitis media. Learn about the angles of the ear in children and adults and the structures of the tympanic cavity.
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