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    Anatomy and Physiology of Ear

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    Iqra Samreen

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Anatomy and Physiology of Ear

    Uploaded by

    Iqra Samreen
    6 views5 pages

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    6 views5 pages

    Anatomy and Physiology of Ear

    Uploaded by

    Iqra Samreen

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 5

    ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF EAR:

    Anatomy of Ear:
    Anatomically ear is divided into three parts:

    a) External Ear: The external ear consists of the pinna, the external auditory
    canal and the tympanic membrane.
    b) Middle ear: The middle ear cavity with eustachian tube, and the mastoid
    cellular system is termed as the middle ear cleft.
    c) Inner ear: It comprises the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals.
    Vestibulocochlear nerves connect the inner ear with the brain.
    ➢ EXTERNAL EAR:
    Pinna:

    This consists of auricular cartilage covered by skin. The cartilage is irregularly shaped
    and is continuous with the cartilage of external auditory meatus. This cartilage free
    gap is called incisura terminalis and is utilized in making an end-aural incision for
    mastoid surgery.

    External auditory canal: The external auditory canal, lined with skin and
    ceruminous glands, channels sound waves towards the eardrum, aiding in sound
    transmission and protection of the delicate middle and inner ear structures.

    Tympanic membrane: The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, separates the


    outer ear from the middle ear, comprising three layers: outer epithelial, middle fibrous,
    and inner mucosal layers. Its cone-shaped structure amplifies sound vibrations for
    transmission to the middle ear ossicles.
    ➢ MIDDLE EAR:

    EUSTACHIAN TUBE: The Eustachian tube is a narrow tube that connects the middle ear to
    the back of the nose and upper throat. Its primary function is to equalize air pressure on both
    sides of the eardrum, which helps maintain proper hearing and balance.

    Mastoid cellular system: The mastoid cellular system, nestled within the mastoid bone
    behind the ear, comprises interconnected air-filled cavities. These spaces help regulate
    middle ear pressure, facilitate fluid drainage, and act as a protective barrier for delicate inner
    ear structures. Infections or inflammation in this system can lead to mastoiditis, necessitating
    medical attention.
    ➢ INNER EAR:

    Cochlea: The cochlea is a snail-shaped, fluid-filled structure within the inner ear,
    essential for hearing. It consists of three fluid-filled compartments: the scala vestibuli,
    scala media, and scala tympani. These compartments are separated by the cochlear
    duct, which houses the organ of Corti, containing sensory hair cells responsible for
    detecting sound vibrations.

    Vestibule: The vestibule is a central part of the inner ear, located between the
    semicircular canals and the cochlea. It contains the utricle and saccule, which detect
    linear acceleration and head position, essential for balance and spatial orientation.
    Hair cells within these structures translate mechanical movements into neural signals
    sent to the brain.

    Semicircular canals: The semicircular canals are three fluid-filled tubes within the
    inner ear, oriented in different planes. They detect rotational movements of the head,
    helping maintain balance and equilibrium. Sensory hair cells inside these canals detect
    the movement of the fluid, sending signals to the brain to coordinate body position.
    Physiology of Ear:
    The physiology of the ear involves a complex interplay of various structures that work
    together to facilitate hearing and maintain balance. Sound waves are captured by the outer
    ear's pinna and funneled down the ear canal to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. These
    vibrations are then transmitted through the middle ear, where the ossicles—malleus, incus,
    and stapes—amplify and transmit them to the inner ear. Within the cochlea of the inner ear,
    hair cells convert these vibrations into electrical signals, which are then relayed via the
    auditory nerve to the brain for interpretation. Simultaneously, the vestibular

    system, comprising the semicircular canals, utricle, and

    saccule, detects head movements and orientation, helping maintain balance and equilibrium.
    Overall, the ear's physiology enables the perception of sound and the sense of balance, crucial
    for navigating the environment effectively.

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