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Outer ear: The visible external ear is called the pinna or
auricle. This is the part of the ear that humans
sometimes ornament with jewellery.
The outer ear also contains the ear canal and the ear
drum (tympanic membrane).
The middle ear: is the area behind the ear drum. This
part of the ear is made of three movable bones
called ossicles. The function of these three bones is to
convert the sound wave (by striking the eardrum) into
mechanical vibrations. These three bones are absolutely
tiny and are the smallest bones in the body!
The hammer (Malleaus) joins the inside of the
eardrum.
The anvil (Incus) connects to the hammer and the
stirrup.
The stirrup (Staples) fills the oval window (membrane
covered outlets) which leads to the inner ear.
How do we hear?
The outer part of the ear collects sound waves. Humans
can hear sound waves with frequencies between 20 and
20,000 Hz. That sound pressure is amplied through the
middle portion of the ear.
When you spin around too fast, fluid in the circular canals
(cochlea) moves around the ear. This stimulates the hair
cells. When you stop spinning the fluid still moves.
Because the moving fluid is still stimulating the hair cells
your brain gets a message that you are still moving and
so you feel dizzy.
creatures.
For
humans hearing is
also
we
get
constant
hum
in
our
ears
Interesting Facts
The staples is the smallest bone in the whole body!
It is only 0.25 to 0.33 cm long and only weighs 1.9 to
4.3 milligrams.