The Ear

• Structure of the Ear:

  A) Outer

  B) Middle

  C) Inner

  D) Auditory Canal

  E) Eardrum

  F) ear ossicles

  G) Semicircular

  H) Cochlea

  I) Eustachian

  J) Auditory Nerve

  
• How SOUND is passed through the Ear:

  • The Outer Ear DIRECTS Sound Waves to the Eardrum, causing it to Vibrate

  The Vibrations are passed through to the Ear Ossicles (three small bones), where they AMPLIFY the Vibrations passed through them

  • The STAPES (ear ossicle) TRANSMIT the vibrations to the Oval Window, at one end of the COCHLEA

  The EUSTACHIAN TUBE connects the Middle Ear to the THROAT, which allows Air Pressure to be EQUALISED at each side of the Eardrum

  A) vibrate

  B) ear ossicles

  C) Window

  D) Cochlea

  E) Sensory

  F) Sensory

  G) Impulses

  H) Auditory

  I) length

  J) round

  
• [Organ of Corti] runs along the WHOLE LENGTH of the Coiled Cochlea.

  • The Receptor Cells that convert the Vibrations into NERVE IMPULSES are found in the Organ of Corti

  A) oval

  B) receptor cells

  C) Cochlea

  
• How BALANCE is Maintained in the Ear:

  • The Semicircular Canals (along with the Sacculus and Utriculus) are involved with the SENSE of BALANCE
  • In the ENDS of the Semicircular Canal, there are HAIR CELLS, embedded in a JELLY LIKE substance called the Cupula

  A) Cupula

  B) Cupula

  C) hair

  D) nerve

  
• How BALANCE is Maintained in the Ear (STEPS):

  • The Movement of FLUID in the Semicircular Canal causes the Capula to PULL on the Hair Cells, which STIMULATES them to send Nerve Impulses to the Brain (Cerebellum)

  The Canals are placed in Three Planes at Right Angles to each other, so they can detect movement in ANY DIRECTION

  A) cupula

  B) cupula

  C) hair cells

  D) nerve