Chapter 5. Structures of the Ear

Learning Objectives

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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Vladimir Gjorgiev/Shutterstock
Learning Objectives:

Identify the major structures of the ear.

Understand the basic function of each part of the ear.

Review

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

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

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

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

Practice: Exploring the Ear

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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

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Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

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

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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

Quiz 2

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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

Conclusion

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Vladimir Gjorgiev/Shutterstock
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