Anatomy of the Outer Ear
What part of the outer ear collects sound waves?
Pinna (Auricle)
What are the three tiny bones in the middle ear called collectively?
Ossicles
What is the name of the spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear?
Cochlea
What are the two main functions of the ear?
Hearing and balance
Where do sound waves enter the ear?
Through the ear canal
What is the function of the ear canal?
The ear canal directs sound waves to the eardrum.
Which bone in the ossicles is shaped like a hammer?
Malleus
What system in the inner ear helps with balance?
Vestibular system
How does the ear detect sound?
The ear detects sound by converting sound waves into electrical signals for the brain.
What vibrates in response to sound waves?
The eardrum (tympanic membrane)
What is another name for the eardrum?
Tympanic membrane
What does the Eustachian tube do?
Balances pressure between the middle ear and the environment.
What is the function of the auditory nerve?
Transmits electrical signals from the cochlea to the brain.
What is the role of hair cells in hearing?
Hair cells convert vibrations into electrical signals.
How are vibrations transmitted to the cochlea?
Via the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes)
What happens when the eardrum vibrates?
The eardrum vibrates, transmitting sound to the middle ear.
How does the middle ear amplify sound vibrations?
The ossicles amplify sound vibrations by transferring them from the eardrum to the cochlea.
What structure inside the cochlea converts vibrations into electrical signals?
Hair cells
What does the auditory nerve do after receiving signals?
The auditory nerve carries signals to the brain for interpretation.
What happens to sound vibrations inside the cochlea?
They are converted into electrical signals by hair cells.
Name the three parts of the outer ear.
Pinna, ear canal, and eardrum
Name all three ossicles and their individual shapes.
Malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).
What two parts of the vestibular system are responsible for balance?
Semicircular canals and vestibule
How does the vestibular system help with spatial orientation?
It detects changes in head position and movement.
How does the brain interpret signals from the ears?
The brain processes electrical signals to identify sound and maintain balance.