The Ear Structure/Function

round window

A membrane-covered opening in the inner wall of the middle ear that compensates for changes in cochlear pressure.

presbycusis

A normative age-related loss of the ability to hear high-pitched tones

crista ampullaris

A specialized receptor located within the semicircular canals that detects head movements

basilar membrane

A structure that runs the length of the cochlea in the inner ear and holds the auditory receptors, called hair cells.

Romberg test

Assess static balance, determine individuals ability to stand, and remain motionless. Normally, person can maintain posture and balance even w/ visual orienting information blocked, although slight swaying may occur.

Pharyngotympanic Tube

Auditory Tube; tube connecting the middle ear to the pharynx (throat); equalizes pressure

ampulla

Bulbs at the end of semicircular canals; communicates with the utricle of the vestibule

vertigo

Condition of dizziness, often described as a room spinning sensation

dynamic equilibrium

Detects rotational movement (spinning) of the head; semicircular canals monitor angular movements in the head; crista ampullaris

otitis media

Infection of the middle ear, common in children

external auditory meatus or canal

L external passage for sounds collected from the pinna to the tympanic membrane

scala tympani

Lower chamber of the cochlea; terminates in the round window (middle ear); contains perilymph

pinna

M projected part of the external ear, also known as the auricle

static equilibrium

Maintenance of balance when the head and body are motionless; monitor head position and acceleration in a straight line; maculae

audiometry

Measurement of hearing acuity at various sound wave frequencies and intensities

scala media

Middle chamber of the cochlea; filled with endolymph

sensorineural deafness

Occurs from damage to the cochlea, the hair cells, or the auditory neurons.

maculae

Static Equillibrium is controlled by ____ which are a a) patch of receptor cells with hairs and b) Membrane sacs in vestibule.

vestibular apparatus

The receptive organs of the inner ear that contribute to balance and perception of head movement; filled with perilymph

scala vestibuli

The superior chamber of the cochlea; receives sounds and is filled with Perilymph; terminates at the oval window.

malleus

hammer; first of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear

Rinne test

hearing test using a tuning fork; checks for differences in bone conduction and air conduction

bony labyrinth

inner ear; intricate, fluid-filled, intercommunicating bony and membranous passages that function in hearing by relaying sound waves to auditory nerve fibers on a path to the brain for interpretation; also sense body movement and position to maintain balance and equilibrium

oval window

membrane that covers the opening between the middle ear and inner ear; what the stapes vibrates in

tympanic cavity

middle ear; small, air-filled cavity within the temporal bone; structures of the ear that vibrate sound from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear

vestibule

middle part of the inner ear, in front of the semicircular canals and behind the cochlea, that contains the utricle and the saccule; functions to provide body balance and equilibrium

semicircular canals

three canals within the inner ear that contain specialized receptor cells that generate nerve impulses with body movements; involved in equilibrium

saccule in vestibule

closest to cochlea

utricle in vestibule

closest to the semicircular ducts

cochlea

coiled tubular structure of the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti; shaped like a snail

spiral organ

contains receptors for hearing

tympanic membrane

eardrum; drum-like structure that receives sound collected in the external auditory canal and amplifies it through the middle ear; separates external from middle ear

perilymph

fluid that fills the bony labyrinth of the inner ear

endolymph

fluid within the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear

ampullary cupula

gelatinous membrane that covers the crista ampullaris

otoliths

small christals in FLUID FILLED VESTIBULAR SACS of the INNER EAR that, when shifted by gravity, stimulate nerve cells that inform the brain of the position of the head. gives us VESTIBULAR SENSE.

stapes

stirrup; last of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear

organ of Corti

structure located in the cochlea; contains receptors (hair cells) that receive vibrations and generate nerve impulses for hearing

membranous labyrinth

suspended in the perilymph; set of membranous tubes containing sensory receptors for hearing and balance, filled with endolymph

depolarize

the hair cells on the basilar membrane ____ before they send impulses to the cochlear nerve

Barany test

the lab test for equilibrium that spun a subject quickly and halted them abruptly to see nystagmus is called?

nystagmus

What is constant and involuntary movement of the eyeball?

otolith membrane

Where do the hair cells of the macula project into?

cerumen

a waxy substance secreted by glands located throughout the external canal, created by the ceruminous glands

incus

anvil; middle of the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear

external ear

outer structures of the ear that collect sound

ceruminous glands

secretes wax called cerumen