Physics - Ear anatomy

Question 1

Pinna (pinnae)

Answer 1

The outer ear composed of skin and cartilage, shape helps focus sound waves through the ear

Question 2

Ear Canal (external auditory meatus)

Answer 2

The passage that leads to the middle ear
Lined with wax and hairs to prevent foreign substances damaging the ear

Question 3

Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane)

Answer 3

A structure that separates the outer ear from the middle ear, vibrates in response to sound waves

Question 4

Malleus

Answer 4

One of the ossicles (known as the hammer) connected to the eardrum which moves the incus

Question 5

Incus

Answer 5

One of the ossicles (known as the anvil) connected to the malleus which moves the stapeus

Question 6

Stapeus

Answer 6

One of the ossicles connected to the incus which vibartes into the cochleus

Question 7

Cochlea

Answer 7

Snail shaped structure for converting vibrations into nerve impulses

Question 8

Organs of Corti

Answer 8

Receptor cells that enter the auditory nerve and get passed along to the brain

Question 9

Auditory nerve (acoustic nerve)

Answer 9

The nerve that conveys information from the hearing organ in the inner ear to the central nervous system.

Question 10

Auditory cortex:

Answer 10

Area of the brain that interprets nerve impulses into what we perceive as sound

Question 11

Semicircular Canals

Answer 11

Used for balance

Question 12

Why do we have two ears

Answer 12

To accurately determine the direction a sound is coming from