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