Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the outer ear?
What is the primary function of the outer ear?
- Balance and orientation
- Sound amplification
- Hearing only (correct)
- Protection from loud noises
Which part of the ear contains the three ossicles?
Which part of the ear contains the three ossicles?
- Outer ear
- Middle ear (correct)
- Inner ear
- Auricle
What role do the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles play in the ear?
What role do the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles play in the ear?
- Facilitate balance
- Protect the ear from damage (correct)
- Amplify sound
- Increase sound vibrations
Which of these statements about the ear's structure is correct?
Which of these statements about the ear's structure is correct?
How do the ossicles contribute to hearing?
How do the ossicles contribute to hearing?
What is the smallest bone in the human body?
What is the smallest bone in the human body?
Where does the hammer fit in the ear's anatomy?
Where does the hammer fit in the ear's anatomy?
What structural feature primarily helps the auricle collect sound waves?
What structural feature primarily helps the auricle collect sound waves?
Flashcards
Auricle (Pinna)
Auricle (Pinna)
The part of the ear that collects sound waves from the air.
Eardrum
Eardrum
The membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear.
Eustachian Tube
Eustachian Tube
A narrow passageway connecting the middle ear to the throat.
Ossicles
Ossicles
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Stapes (Stirrup)
Stapes (Stirrup)
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Oval Window
Oval Window
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Inner Ear (Labyrinth)
Inner Ear (Labyrinth)
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Vestibular System
Vestibular System
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Study Notes
Ear Structure and Function
- Ears are organs for hearing and balance, found only in vertebrates.
- Mammalian ears are the most complex.
- Human ears, like other mammals', have outer, middle, and inner sections.
- Outer and middle ears are for hearing only.
- Inner ear handles hearing and balance/orientation.
Outer Ear
- Composed of auricle (pinna) and outer auditory canal.
- Auricle collects sound waves, shaped cartilage, attached to head via ligaments.
- Earlobe (lobule) contains fatty tissue hanging from auricle.
- Eardrum separates outer ear from middle ear.
Middle Ear
- Air-filled chamber, about 15mm (0.6in) vertically and horizontally.
- Contains three tiny bones (ossicles): malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).
- Stapes is the smallest bone in the body.
- Eustachian tube connects middle ear to throat/nose.
- Eardrum vibrations move ossicles, amplifying sound.
- Muscles (tensor tympani and stapedius) control ossicle movement to protect from loud noises.
Inner Ear
- Also called labyrinth, contains hearing and balance organs.
- Three main parts: cochlea, vestibule, semicircular canals.
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