Preface
One of the sensory organs of the human body. An organ that allows us to hear even the sound of a small insect. Yes, that’s right, our ears. In this article we will look at the anatomy of the Ear anatomy and physiology and ear fact & function.
Importance of the ear besides hearing
Another important function of the ear is that it keeps our body in balance. If the ear is not there, you can’t stand up straight because of gravity. We will come back to this topic at the end because we need to know the parts of the ear 1st.
Anatomy of the ear
The ear is divided into three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.
The outer/external ear
The part that is visible to you is the outer Ear anatomy and physiology and ear fact & function. It is the pathway that directs sounds and vibrations to the inner part of the ear. The outer fold of the ear is called the pinna. It is made of skin and cartilage; there is no bone in this part. This part is also called the auricle. One part of the ear, the ear canal, begins in this area and ends at the inner ear. This further leads to the ear drum.
The middle ear
The middle ear consists of the bony part of the ear. This is also where the eardrum is located. The eardrum is a transparent, grey-coloured membrane that is sensitive to sound. The eardrum is called the tympanic membrane. It also converts sound waves into vibrations. The middle ear also balances the air pressure in the skull by regulating the Eustachian tube.
Between the middle ear and the inner ear is a cavity called the tympanic cavity. This cavity contains the ossicles and the eustachian tube. The ossicles are the three bones of the ear that are present. These bones are very weak. They are connected to each other like chains.
Let’s start with the smallest of all the bones in the whole human body: the claspers. It is the base of the ossicles, the innermost part of the ear. It separates the middle ear from the inner ear.
Incus
The next bone is the middle bone of the middle ear, the incus. This bone is connected to the inner wall of the tympanic cavity. This formulates according to the vibrations and the waves sent by the external bone of the ear. The other name of this bone is “incus”.
Then there is the outer bone, the malleus. It is the largest of the three bones in the ear. It is almost connected to the eardrum and has the same function as the eardrum. The other names of this bone are malleus and mallet.
Between the middle and inner ear is a tube called the Eustachian tube. It is responsible for balancing the air pressure in the ear. This, in turn, helps in the proper transmission of sound waves. When there is a discrepancy in air pressure, it causes discomfort in the ear. This discomfort can take the form of pain or a blockage in hearing. This can often be relieved by yawning or doing a little jaw exercise.
Inner ear
This is the part of the ear that is connected to the brain for further interpretation. Sound waves are converted into electrical impulses. In this part of the ear there are three semicircular canals. These are intertwined.
And now we come to the part that plays an important role in the balance of the body. The semicircular ducts, which are filled with fluid.
The balance is divided between each semicircle. The lateral one is responsible for the movement of the neck. The rotation or turning of the neck. The next one is for the up and down movement of the head, like nodding. This part balances the body when you nod your head up and down. It is the upper or front semicircle. Then comes the posterior semicircle, which balances the body as you move from side to side. For example, when you move from right to left while cracking a nut in your neck.
In the inner part is a cavity, the central cavity, which connects the arcuate ducts to the cochlea. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped cavity where vibrations and waves are converted into electrical impulses, which then reach the brain via the sensory nerves.
Conclusion
That’s all about the Ear anatomy and physiology and ear fact & function. It may look small, but it does a great job, not only in hearing, but also in balancing the body. So today you have learned one of the most important meanings of the ear.
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