The Ear Structure/Function

stapes

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

ceruminous glands

Glands in the external acoustic meatus that produce wax

cerumen

a waxy substance secreted by glands located throughout the external canal

cochlea

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

labyrinth

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

malleus

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

inner ear (bony labyrinth)

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

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

external ear

outer structures of the ear that collect sound

pinna

projected part of the external ear

organ of Corti

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

middle ear (tympanic cavity)

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

incus

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

tympanic membrane (TM)

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

external auditory meatus or canal

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

perilymph

fluid that fills the bony labyrinth of the inner ear

endolymph

fluid within the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear

semicircular canals

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

Eustachian tube/Auditory Tube/Pharyngotympanic Tube

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