Anatomy Of The Ear

Front 1

Auricle (pinna)

Back 1

External appendage of the ear, collection device for channeling vibrations into ear. Made of helix and lobule

Front 2

External auditory canal

Back 2

Opening that penetrates through the mastoid process of temporal bone, ceruminous glands.

Front 3

Tympanic membrane

Back 3

Eardrum, thin membrane that seperated outer and middle ear. Converts sound waves to mechanical vibrations.

Front 4

Bony labyrinth

Back 4

Series of internal canals lined with bone w/in temporal bone. Perilymph fluid.

Front 5

Membranous labyrinth

Back 5

Canal enclosed w/in bony labyrinth. Endolymph fluid. Bony and membranous canals make up semicircular, vestibule, and cochlea.

Front 6

Semicircular canals

Back 6

3 large loops that form posterior part of inner ear, at right angles of eachother. Extended end of loop called ampulla, contains sensory receptors cristae (hair cells) covered with cupula.

Front 7

Vestibule

Back 7

Middle of three inner ear chambers; contains 2 membranous labyrinth sacs: utricle (posterior chamber) and saccule (anterior).

Front 8

Cochlea

Back 8

Anterior chamber of inner ear, resembles snail shell. Cochlear duct

Front 9

Auditory ossicles

Back 9

Malleis, incus, and stapes within tympanic cavity that form lever system, serve to transmit and amplify the vibrations.

Front 10

Auditory tube

Back 10

aka Eustachian or pharyngotympanic tube. Narrow tube connecting tympanic cavity and nasal cavity. Opens during yawning and sneezing to equalize pressure between middle ear and external air.