Ear Structure and Functions

Round Window

Another opening separating the middle and inner ear just below the oval window and also covered by a membrane and dissipates pressure waves in the cochlea after they have stimulated hair cells.

Pinna

Collects and channels air pressure.

Auditory Canal

Directs pressure waves to the tympanic membrane.

Cochlea

Fluid-filled structure of the inner ear which contains the hair cells involved with hearing.

Stapes

Middle ear ossicle which transmits vibrations from the incus to the oval window.

Incus

Middle ear ossicle which transmits vibrations from the malleus to the stapes.

Malleus

Middle ear ossicle which transmits vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the incus.

Oval Window

One of the openings separating the middle and inner ear. Movements of the stapes cause vibrations of the oval window's membrane which produce fluid pressure waves in the inner ear.

Tympanic Canal

Separated the outer and middle ear. Vibrates in response to air pressure waves thus causing the middle ear bones to vibrate.

Vestibule

Structure of the inner ear containing the saccule and utricle and important in sensing equilibrium.

Ossicles

Three bones which articulate each other to transmit vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window.

Semicircular Canal

Three fluid-filled structures of inner ear containing hair cells involved with sensing equilibrium.

Eustachain tube

Tube connecting the middle ear to pharynx. It equalizes pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere.