The Ear Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is the pinna?
Visible portion of the ear, collects soundwaves and channels them into the ear canal
What is the auditory meatus?
The ear canal, soundwaves become amplified
What is the tympanic membrane?
The eardrum, soundwaves arrive and cause the membrane to vibrate
What is the malleus?
A large bone in the middle ear, relays vibrations from tympanic membrane to the incus
What is the incus?
Relays vibrations to the stapes
What is the function of the stapes?
Relays soundwaves to the inner ear through the oval window
What is the oval window and what is its function?
The entrance to the inner ear, vibrates liquids in the cochlea
What is the function of the round window?
Decompresses acoustic energy, vibrates in opposite phase to oval
What is the cochlea?
Fluid filled, spiral cavity. Fluid moves in response to soundwaves which nerve endings transform into electrical impulses
What is the organ of corti?
Organ of the inner ear found within cohoes involved transduction of auditory waves.
What is the cochlear nerve?
A sensory nerve which transmits the electrical impulses of sound
What are the semi-circular canals?
Fluid filled tubes that aid with balance
