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).