Outer Ear
This structure collects sound waves and helps with sound localization.
What is the pinna (auricle)?
Correct vibration pathway after the tympanic membrane.
What is malleus → incus → stapes?
Three fluid-filled chambers of the cochlea.
What are scala vestibuli, scala media, and scala tympani?
Structures responsible for detecting linear acceleration.
What are the utricle and saccule?
First brain structure to receive auditory input.
What is the cochlear nucleus?
Middle ear infection.
What is otitis media?
Small cartilage flap at the entrance of the ear canal.
What is the tragus?
This canal amplifies incoming sound, especially speech frequencies.
What is the external auditory meatus (EAM)?
This window is pushed by the stapes.
What is the oval window?
This membrane supports the Organ of Corti.
What is the basilar membrane?
These structures detect rotational movement.
What are semicircular canals?
Where binaural integration first occurs.
What is the superior olivary complex?
Type of hearing loss caused by hair cell or nerve damage.
What is sensorineural hearing loss?
Bright triangular reflection on the eardrum.
What is the cone of light?
Blocking one pinna would most affect this aspect of hearing.
What is sound localization (direction finding)?
This tube equalizes pressure between the middle ear and throat.
What is the Eustachian tube?
These hair cells amplify vibration and fine-tune sound.
What are outer hair cells (OHCs)?
Sensory organ of balance located in semicircular canals.
What is the crista ampullaris?
Relay station before signals reach the auditory cortex.
What is the medial geniculate body?
Type of hearing loss caused by outer or middle ear blockage.
What is conductive hearing loss?
Small central depression of the tympanic membrane.
What is the umbo?
This part of the outer ear directs sound toward the tympanic membrane.
What is the concha?
Name one muscle that protects the ear from loud sounds.
What is the stapedius or tensor tympani?
High-frequency sounds are detected at this part of the cochlea.
What is the base?
Fluid movement in the vestibular system that bends hair cells.
What is endolymph?
Primary auditory cortex responsible for basic perception.
What is A1?
This test bypasses the outer and middle ear
What is bone conduction testing?
Inner ear structure responsible for hearing ONLY.
What is the cochlea?
The outer ear primarily transforms sound energy into this type of energy next.
What is mechanical energy?
This disease results when ossicles cannot move freely.
What is otosclerosis?
Deflection of stereocilia causes this ion to flow into hair cells first.
What is potassium (K⁺)?
Right posterior canal is paired with this canal.
What is the left anterior canal?
Area responsible for interpretation and meaning of sound.
What is A2 / Wernicke’s area?
Failure of air-conducted sound to efficiently enter cochlear fluid is called this.
What is impedance mismatch?
Swelling at the end of semicircular canals containing sensory organs.
What are ampullae?
Type of energy that enters the ear.
What is acoustic energy?
Type of energy used by ossicles.
What is mechanical energy?
Type of energy in the cochlear fluids.
What is hydraulic energy?
Final type of energy sent to the brain.
What is neural energy?
Everyday activity requiring both hearing and balance.
What is walking, driving, dancing, or riding a bike?
This effect increases sound pressure by concentrating force from a large area to a small one at the oval window.
What is the area ratio (area effect)?
Opening of mechanically gated ion channels in stereocilia occurs when they bend toward this structure.
What is the tallest stereocilium (kinocilium direction)?