auditory canal
Channel that leads from the pinna to the eardrum
auditory meatus
Auditory canal.
auditory nerve fibers
Carry impulses from the middle ear and the nasopharynx; eustachian tube.
auricle
Flap of ear, the protruding part of the external ear, or the pinna.
cerumen
Waxy substance secreted by the external ear, also called earwax.
cochlea
Snail-shaped, spirally wound tube in the inner ear, contains hearing-sensitive receptors.
endolymph
Fluid within the labyrinth of the inner ear.
eustachian tube
Auditory tube.
incus
Second ossicle (bone) of the middle ear; incus means anvil.
labyrinth
Maze-like series of canals of the inner ear. This includes the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals.
malleus
First ossicle of the middle ear, malleus means hammer.
organ of Corti
Sensitive auditory receptor area found in the cochlea of the inner ear.
ossicle
Small gone of the ear; includes malleus, incus, and stapes.
oval window
Membrane between the middle ear and the inner ear.
perilymph
Fluid contained in the labyrinth of the inner ear.
pinna
Auricle; flap of the ear.
semicircular canals
Passages in the inner ear associated with maintaining equilibrium.
stapes
Third ossicle of the middle ear. Stapes means stirrup.
tympanic membrane
Membrane between the outer ear and the middle ear; also called the eardrum.
vestibule
Central cavity of the labyrinth, connecting the semicircular canals and the cochlea. The vestibule contains two structures, the saccule and utricle, that help maintain equilibrium.
acoustic neuroma
Benign tumor arising from the acoustic vestibulocochlear nerve in the brain.
cholesteatoma
Collection of skin cells and cholesterol in a sac within the middle ear.
deafness
Loss of the ability to hear.
Meniere disease
Disorder of the labyrinth of the inner ear, elevated endolymph pressure within the cochlea and semicircular canals.
otitis media
Inflammation of the middle ear.
otoscerlosis
Hardening of the bony tissue of the middle ear.
tinnitus
Sensation of noises in the ears. (Ringing, buzzing, booming, whistling.)
vertigo
Sensation of irregular or whirling motion either of oneself or of external objects.
audiometry
Testing the sense of hearing.
cochlear implant
Surgically implanted device allowing sensorineural hearing-impaired persons to understand speech.
ear thermometry
Measurement of the temperature of the tympanic membrane by detection of infrared radiation from the eardrum.
otoscopy
Visual examination of the ear with an otoscope.
tuning fork test
Test of ear conduction using a vibration source.
Ear
Ot/o
Auricul/o
Aur/o
Two Actions:
1) Hearing
2) Equilibrium or balance
--Sound perceived within nerve fibers or cerebral cortex
3 separate regions of the Ear:
1) Outer Ear
2) Middle Ear
3) Inner Ear
Outer Ear
-Auricle (pinna)
---Auditory Canal (external auditory meatus) -> produces
cerumen
Cerumen
Ear wax which lubricates and proctects
Middle Ear
-Tympanic membrane: myring/o; tympan/o
-*Ossicles (3 small bones): Conduct sound waves
-*Malleus, Incus, Stapes
----*Oval window: stapes touches during movement; separates middle and inner ear
-Eustachian tube: salping/o
---"pressure control"
---Normally
Eardrum
myring/o
tympan/o
Eustachian tube
salping/o = Auditory tube)
Inner Ear
AKA:
Labyrinth
- circular, maze-like
Cochlea
= snail shaped, cochle/o
---perilymph
---endolymph
---Helps vibrations travel through fluid
Organ of Corti
=
sensitive auditory area
---Tiny hair cells, vibrations from auditory liquids, relay sound waves to au
Vestibule
vestibul/o
(Inner Ear)
Connects cochlea (hearing) to semicircular canals (balance)
Semicircular canals
(Inner Ear)
Maintain equilibrium
, respond to movement of head
-Endolymph (fluid), hair cells (sensitive), saccule and utricle (membranous sacs) <-- help aide in equilibrium