Concept Practice
Structures of the Ear

Chapter 5. Structures of the Ear

auditory canal
tube in the outer ear that channels sound waves to the eardrum
middle ear
air-filled chamber between eardrum and cochlea; contains three tiny bones
auditory nerve
carries neural impulses from the inner ear toward the brain
middle ear bones
the three small bones within the middle ear that amplify the eardrum vibrations and pass them on to the cochlea
cochlea
coiled, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear in which sound vibrations trigger nerve impulses
outer ear
external portion of the ear, including auditory canal and eardrum
eardrum
thin membrane that vibrates in response to incoming sound waves; separates auditory canal from middle ear
semicircular canals
three small tubes in the inner ear that detect head position and rotation
inner ear
innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea and semicircular canals
Structures of the Ear
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side view of head with focus on an exposed ear
Vladimir Gjorgiev/Shutterstock
Learning Objectives:

Identify the major structures of the ear.

Understand the basic function of each part of the ear.

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Review

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Diagram of ear.  The structures of the ear are labeled from outer to inner ear.  The outer ear is highlighted, which consists of the ear on the outside of the head, and the auditory canal extending from outside the ear to inside the head to the eardrum.

1. The outer ear funnels sound waves through the auditory canal to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate.

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 Diagram of ear.  The structures of the ear are labeled from outer to inner ear.  The middle ear is highlighted, which consists of the middle ear bones behind the eardrum. One of these bones rests on the eardrum and is linked to the other two bones, which connects to the inner ear.

2. Within the middle ear, the middle ear bones amplify and relay the vibrations of the eardrum to the fluid-filled cochlea. The cochlea and the semicircular canals (which are not related to hearing) together form the inner ear.

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Diagram of ear.  The structures of the ear are labeled from outer to inner ear.  The inner ear is highlighted, which consists of the semicircular canals and cochlea. The canals and  cochlea are attached to a sac that the middle ear bones are connected to.

3. The resulting vibrations in the cochlear fluid cause a membrane within the cochlea to ripple.

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Diagram of ear.  The structures of the ear are labeled from outer to inner ear.  The inner ear is highlighted, which consists of the semicircular canals and cochlea. The canals and  cochlea are attached to a sac that the middle ear bones are connected to.

4. This triggers impulses in the tiny hairs that rest on the membrane within the cochlea.

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Diagram of ear.  The structures of the ear are labeled from outer to inner ear.  The auditory nerve is highlighted as it exits the inner ear, where it is attached to the cochlea and semicircular canals.

5. These impulses travel to the auditory nerve, which then passes the impulses on to the brain.

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Practice: Exploring the Ear

Roll over each structure to see a brief description of the function of that part of the ear.

Function of the selected part of ear:

coiled, fluid-filled tube in the inner ear in which sound vibrations trigger nerve impulses

three small tubes in the inner ear that detect head position and rotation

the hammer, anvil, and stirrup (from left to right) amplify vibrations of the eardrum and transmit them to the cochlea

innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea and semicircular canals

air-filled chamber between eardrum and cochlea; contains three tiny bones

external portion of the ear, including auditory canal and eardrum

carries neural impulses from the inner ear toward the brain

thin membrane that vibrates in response to incoming sound waves; separates auditory canal from middle ear

tube that channels sound waves to the eardrum

Diagram of ear.  The outer ear includes the auditory canal and eardrum; the middle ear includes the middle ear bones; and the inner ear includes the semicircular canals, cochlea, and auditory nerve.
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Quiz 1

Drag each label to the gray area designating the appropriate structure. Then select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Diagram of eye. The following structures of the eye are labeled from front to back of the eye: cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, fovea, blind spot, optic nerve.
Select the NEXT button and move to Quiz 2.
Perhaps you should go back to review the locations of each of these parts of the ear.
Eardrum
Middle ear
Auditory nerve
Middle ear bones
Inner ear
Cochlea
Semicircular canals
Outer ear
Auditory canal
matching_test

Quiz 2

Match the ear structures with their functions by dragging each colored circle to the appropriate gray circle. When all the circles have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Select the NEXT button and move to the Conclusion.
Perhaps you should go back to review the functions of each of these parts of the ear.
Semicircular canals
Cochlea
Auditory canal
Middle ear
Auditory nerve
Outer ear
Eardrum
Middle ear bones
Inner ear
channels sound waves to the eardrum
thin membrane that vibrates in response to incoming sound waves; separates auditory canal from middle ear
carries neural impulses from the inner ear toward the brain
the hammer, anvil, and stirrup (from left to right) amplify vibrations of the eardrum and transmit them to the cochlea
coiled tube in the inner ear in which sound vibrations trigger nerve impulses
three small tubes in the inner ear that detect head position and rotation
external portion of the ear, including auditory canal and eardrum
chamber between eardrum and cochlea; contains three tiny bones
innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea and semicircular canals
end_slide
side view of head with focus on an exposed ear
Vladimir Gjorgiev/Shutterstock
Congratulations!
You have completed the activity Structures of the Ear.