Questions and Answers
What is the function of the Auricle?
What does the external acoustic meatus do?
What is the helix?
The cartilaginous rim of the ear.
What is the lobule?
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What is the role of the tympanic membrane?
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What is the malleus?
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What does the incus do?
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What is the function of the stapes?
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What does the pharyngotympanic tube connect?
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What is the function of the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles?
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What is the vestibule?
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What are semicircular canals?
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What does the cochlea do?
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What is the oval window?
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What does the round window do?
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What is the scala vestibuli?
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What occurs in the scala tympani?
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What does the cochlear duct house?
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What is the organ of Corti's role?
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What is the function of the basilar membrane?
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Study Notes
Ear Anatomy and Functions
- Auricle: Shell-shaped structure that funnels sound waves into the auditory canal.
- External Acoustic Meatus: A short, curved tube lined with skin, transmits sound waves to the eardrum.
- Helix: The cartilaginous rim of the outer ear.
- Lobule: The fleshy part at the bottom of the earlobe.
Middle Ear Components
- Tympanic Membrane: Acts as a boundary between the outer and middle ear; vibrates in response to sound and transfers sound energy to the ossicles.
- Malleus (Hammer): A bone that vibrates and transmits vibrations to the incus.
- Incus (Anvil): Receives vibrations from the malleus and transmits them to the stapes.
- Stapes (Stirrup): Small stirrup-shaped bone that conducts sound vibrations to the inner ear via the oval window.
Auditory Pathway and Balance
- Pharyngotympanic (Auditory) Tube: Connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx; equalizes pressure in the ear and can be opened by yawning or swallowing.
- Tensor Tympani and Stapedius Muscles: Contract in response to loud sounds to protect hearing structures from damage.
Inner Ear Structures
- Vestibule: Central cavity involved in responding to head position and gravity; contains two membranous sacs.
- Semicircular Canals: Three fluid-filled tubes that assist in maintaining balance by detecting head movements through fluid motion.
- Cochlea: Spiral bony chamber that transforms sound vibrations into neural signals via its liquid-filled structures.
Sound Transduction Mechanism
- Oval Window: Membrane that transmits sound from the stapes to the cochlea; vibrations are amplified from the tympanic membrane.
- Round Window: Acts as a pressure valve, allowing cochlear fluid movement needed for auditory transduction.
- Scala Vestibuli: Upper chamber of the cochlea; initiates the motion of perilymph in response to vibrations.
- Scala Tympani: Conducts sound waves through the auditory pathway; carries vibrations towards the round window.
- Cochlear Duct: Contains endolymph and houses the Organ of Corti, important for sound reception.
- Organ of Corti: Contains hair cells that convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses; key player in the hearing process.
- Basilar Membrane: Vibrates at specific locations based on sound frequencies, enabling differentiation of pitches.
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Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the ear with these flashcards. Each card provides definitions and functions of key parts, enhancing your understanding of auditory structures. Perfect for students studying biology or health sciences.