Ear Anatomy Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the function of the Auricle?

Connect middle ear to nasopharynx

Transmit sound waves to the eardrum

Funnel sound waves into the auditory canal (correct)

Vibrate in response to sound

What does the external acoustic meatus do?

Transmits sound waves to the eardrum (correct)

House the organ of hearing

Vibrate in response to sound

Connect middle ear to the nasopharynx

What is the helix?

The cartilaginous rim of the ear.

What is the lobule?

The fleshy part of the earlobe. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the tympanic membrane?

Transmits sound energy to the bones of the middle ear Signup and view all the answers

What is the malleus?

A bone in the middle ear that vibrates. Signup and view all the answers

What does the incus do?

Receives vibrations from the malleus and transmits these to the stapes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the stapes?

Involved in the conduction of sound vibrations to the inner ear. Signup and view all the answers

What does the pharyngotympanic tube connect?

Middle ear to the nasopharynx. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles?

Contract reflexively in response to loud sounds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the vestibule?

Central egg-like cavity in the ear. Signup and view all the answers

What are semicircular canals?

Three tiny, fluid-filled tubes in the inner ear. Signup and view all the answers

What does the cochlea do?

Transforms vibrations into a neural signal. Signup and view all the answers

What is the oval window?

A membrane at the beginning of the cochlea. Signup and view all the answers

What does the round window do?

Vibrates with the opposite phase to vibrations entering through the oval window. Signup and view all the answers

What is the scala vestibuli?

The upper bony part of the cochlea. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in the scala tympani?

Sound waves enter the outer ear and travel through the external auditory canal. Signup and view all the answers

What does the cochlear duct house?

The organ of Corti. Signup and view all the answers

What is the organ of Corti's role?

Transduce mechanical sound vibrations into nerve impulses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the basilar membrane?

Vibrates at specific locations according to the frequency of sound. Signup and view all the answers

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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Description

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.