Parts and Functions of the Ear

Questions and Answers

What is the function of the pinna?

To transmit sounds from the air to the cochlea

To act as a funnel directing sound further into the ear (correct)

To equalize pressure on both sides of the eardrum

To conduct sound vibrations to the tympanic membrane

What does the ear canal do?

Conducts sound vibrations from the pinna to the tympanic membrane

What is the tympanic membrane commonly known as?

Eardrum

The ossicles are located in the ______.

middle ear Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the ossicles?

Transmit sounds from the air to the fluid-filled labyrinth Signup and view all the answers

What do the semicircular canals help maintain?

Balance Signup and view all the answers

What connects the middle ear to the throat?

Eustachian tube Signup and view all the answers

What does the cochlea do?

Triggers nerve impulses in response to sound waves Signup and view all the answers

What does the auditory nerve do?

Carries impulses from the inner ear to the brain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Parts of the Ear and Their Functions

Pinna: The visible external part of the ear, shaped in a helical form, acts as a funnel to direct sound into the ear.
Ear Canal: A passage that conducts sound from the pinna to the tympanic membrane, protecting the eardrum from damage.
Tympanic Membrane: Also known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound waves, serving as a boundary between the outer and middle ear.
Ossicles: Comprising three tiny bones in the middle ear, they are among the smallest bones in the body and help transmit sound from air to the cochlea.
Tympanic Cavity: An air-filled space in the ear that houses the ossicles and facilitates sound transmission.
Eustachian Tube: A narrow tube linking the middle ear to the throat, it maintains equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum.
Cochlea: A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear, where sound waves convert to nerve impulses.
Semicircular Canals: Three canals located in the inner ear containing receptor cells that help maintain balance by detecting body movement.
Auditory Nerve: Transmits auditory signals from the inner ear to the brain, allowing for the perception of sound.

Description

Explore the anatomy and functions of the ear with these flashcards. From the pinna to the ear canal, learn how each part contributes to our ability to hear. Engage with key terms and definitions that illustrate the complex workings of the auditory system.