The Ear Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the ear?
The ear is the organ of hearing and balance.
Root = ot/o.
What are the main parts of the ear?
The ear consists of the external ear, middle ear, and internal ear.
What does the external ear consist of?
The external ear consists of the auricle (pinna) and the external auditory canal.
What is the function of the auditory canal?
The auditory canal carries sound waves from the pinna to the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
What is the tympanic membrane?
The tympanic membrane is the eardrum that separates the external ear from the middle ear.
What is cerumen?
Cerumen is earwax produced by modified glands in the external ear that protects the eardrum.
What can happen if there is excessive earwax?
Excessive earwax can obstruct the eardrum, preventing vibration.
How can excessive earwax be removed?
Excessive earwax may be removed by syringing.
What is the middle ear also known as?
The middle ear is also known as the tympanic cavity.
What connects the middle ear to the throat?
Two eustachian tubes connect the middle ear to the back of the throat.
What happens to the eustachian tubes during swallowing?
The eustachian tubes open on swallowing to equalize pressure in the middle ear.
Where is the inner ear located?
The inner ear is situated within the bony labyrinth of the temporal bone.
What does the inner ear consist of?
The inner ear consists of numerous bony canals and cavities lined with membrane and filled with fluid.
What is the cochlea?
The cochlea is a spiral tube in the inner ear that contains the nerves that transmit sound to the brain.
What structures in the inner ear affect balance?
The semicircular canals in the inner ear affect balance.
What can disease within the inner ear structures cause?
Disease within these structures can cause vertigo.
