What are the parts of the ear and its functions?
Key points
- Hearing and balance are the two main functions of the ear.
- The ear is divided into three parts: the external, middle and inner ears.
- The transmission of sound takes place in the external and middle ears.
- The inner ear houses the cochlea (organ of hearing) and the peripheral vestibular system (organ of balance)
What are the parts of the ears?
The parts of the ear include:
- External or outer ear, consisting of: Pinna or auricle. This is the outside part of the ear.
- Tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane divides the external ear from the middle ear.
- Middle ear (tympanic cavity) , consisting of: Ossicles.
- Inner ear , consisting of: Cochlea.
What are the 3 main sections of the ear?
The outer ear is made up of three parts;
- the part we see on the sides of our heads (pinna),
- the ear canal, and.
- the eardrum (tympanic membrane).
What are the 3 functions of the external ear?
The external ear is composed of the pinna and the external auditory meatus. Its principal functions are to collect and funnel sound to the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and to provide cues about the location of wideband sound sources in the vertical plane.
What is the most important structure in the ear?
The inner ear (also called the labyrinth) contains 2 main structures — the cochlea, which is involved in hearing, and the vestibular system (consisting of the 3 semicircular canals, saccule and utricle), which is responsible for maintaining balance.
Is pinna and helix the same?
The medical term for the outer ear is the auricle or pinna. The outer ear is made up of cartilage and skin. There are three different parts to the outer ear; the tragus, helix and the lobule.
What is the function of inner ear?
The inner ear has two main functions. It helps you hear and keep your balance. The parts of the inner ear are attached but work separately to do each job. The cochlea works with parts of the outer and middle ear to help you hear sounds.