ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE EAR

Main Components of the Hearing Mechanism

Outer Ear Middle Ear Inner Ear Central Auditory Nervous System

Structures of the Outer Ear

Auricle (Pinna)

Collects sound Helps in sound localization Most efficient in directing high frequency sounds to the eardrum

External Auditory Canal

Approximately 1 inch in length S shaped Lined with cerumen glands Outer 1/3rd cartilage; inner 2/3rds mastoid bone Increases sound pressure at the tympanic membrane by as much as 5-6 dB (due to acoustic resonance)
4

Mastoid Process

Bony ridge behind the auricle Provides support to the external ear and posterior wall of the middle ear cavity

Tympanic Membrane

Thin membrane Forms boundary between outer and middle ear Vibrates in response to sound Changes acoustical energy into mechanical energy

The Ossicular Chain

A: Malleus B: Incus C: Stapes

Ossicles are smallest bones in the body Act as a lever system Footplate of stapes enters oval window of the cochlea

Eustachian Tube

Lined with mucous membrane; connects middle ear to back of the throat (nasopharynx) Equalizes air pressure Normally closed except during yawning or swallowing Not a part of the hearing process

Stapedius Muscle
Connects the stapes to the middle ear wall Contracts in response to loud sounds; known as the Acoustic Reflex

Structures of the Inner Ear

Cochlea - Snail-shaped organ with a series of fluidfilled tunnels; converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

10

Structures of the Inner Ear (Cont.)

Oval Window located at the footplate of the stapes; when the footplate vibrates, the cochlear fluid is set into motion Round Window functions as the pressure relief port for the fluid set into motion initially by the movement of the stapes in the oval window

11

Organ of Corti

The end organ of hearing; contains stereocilia and hair cells.

12

Hair Cells

Frequency-specific
High pitch sounds = base of cochlea Low pitch sounds = apex of cochlea

When the basilar membrane moves, a shearing action between the tectorial membrane and the organ of Corti causes hair cells to bend

13

Vestibular System

Consists of three semicircular canals Shares fluid with the cochlea Controls balance No part in hearing process

14

Central Auditory System

8th Cranial Nerve or Auditory Nerve carries signals from cochlea to brain Fibers of the auditory nerve are present in the hair cells of the inner ear Auditory Cortex: Temporal lobe of the brain where sound is perceived and analyzed

15

How Sound Travels Through The Ear...

Acoustic energy, in the form of sound waves, is channeled into the ear canal by the pinna. Sound waves strike the tympanic membrane, causing it to vibrate like a drum, and changing it into mechanical energy. The malleus, which is attached to the tympanic membrane, starts the ossicles into motion. (The middle ear components mechanically amplify sound). The stapes moves in and out of the oval window of the cochlea creating a fluid motion. The fluid movement within the cochlea causes membranes in the Organ of Corti to shear against the hair cells. This creates an electrical signal which is sent via the Auditory Nerve to the brain, where sound is interpreted!
16

QUESTIONS?

17