Structures of the Ear

incus

"anvil," middle of the 3 ossicles of the middle ear

organ of corti

A structure in the cochlea containing hair cells that serve as the receptors of hearing

vestibule

An organ in the inner ear that works with the semicircular canals to maintain equilibrium

malleus

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

tectorial membrane

membrane above the basilar membrane in which ends of the stereocilia (thin projections of the hair cells) are embedded

basilar membrane

membrane along the base of the organ of corti to which hair cells are attached

oval window

membrane that the stirrup presses against and transmits sound vibrations into fluid movement within the cochlea.

ear

the sense organ for both hearing and equilibrium

stereocilia

thin projections of the hair cells

tympanic membrane (eardrum)

transmits sound vibrations to the ossicles

Eustachian tube

connects the middle ear to the throat and helps equalize pressure

semicircular canals

contains receptors and endolymph that help the body maintain its sense of balance (equilibrium)

external auditory canal

contains the glands that secrete earwax (cerumen) funnels in sound waves

nerve deafness

damage to the hair cells

conduction deafness

damage to the sound conduction system of the outer or middle ear

external ear (pinna)

external structure located on both sides of the head.

cochlea

snail-shaped and contains the organ of hearing (organ of corti).

stapes

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

auditory nerve

takes auditory message from hair cells and transmits them to the temporal lobe of the brain

ossicles

bones of the middle ear that carry sound vibrations. The malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).