FUNCTIONS
PINNA: The function of the pinna is to act as a kind of funnel which assists in directing the sound further into the ear.
EAR CANAL:The ear canal functions as an entryway for sound waves, which get propelled toward the tympanic membrane, known as the eardrum. When sounds enter the middle ear, they are transmitted to tiny bones called the ossicles, which consist of the stapes, the incus, and the malleus.
EARDRUM: The eardrum flexes when sound waves coming down the ear canal collide with it. The flexing, which represents sound, is sensed, transported and magnified by the three tiny bones
EUSTACHIAN TUBE:The eustachian tube connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx. It aerates the middle ear system and clears mucus from the middle ear into the nasopharynx.
COCHLEA:The function of the cochlea is to transform the vibrations of the cochlear liquids and associated structures into a neural signal.
COCHLEAR NERVE:The function of the cochlear nerve begins when sound vibrations hit the eardrum. By hitting the eardrum, those vibrations are converted into electrical signals that the cochlear nerve carries to the brain.
MALLEUS:When sound reaches the tympanic membrane, the malleus transmits these sound vibrations from the eardrum to the incus, and then to the stapes, which is connected to the oval window. Because the malleus is directly connected to the eardrum, it is unlikely that it will be the cause of hearing loss.
INCUS:Sound waves provoke vibration in these bones, after traveling from the external ear, through the ear canal and beyond the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations then travel into the cochlea, where sound is translated into nervous system signals that are sent to the brain.
OSSICLES:the ossicles, which achieve an amplification by lever action. The lever is adjustable under muscle action and may actually attenuate loud sounds for protection of the ear.
STAPES:The two branches, known as the inferior and superior crus, convey sound vibrations to the bone's flat base. From there, the vibrations enter the inner ear, where it is processed into neural data to be transmitted to the brain via the cochlear and the auditory nerve.
SEMICIRCULAR CANALS:The semicircular canals contain three main parts: the horizontal, posterior, and superior canals. Each of these canals provides a separate sense of directional balance.