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Anatomy of Ear

The ear is divided into 3 parts - the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear collects sound waves which vibrate the eardrum, transmitting vibrations through 3 small bones to the inner ear. In the inner ear, vibrations are converted to electrical signals in the cochlea which the brain interprets as sound. The vestibular system in the inner ear helps with balance. During an ear exam, an otoscope is used to inspect the ear canal and eardrum for issues like bulging, perforations, or discharge that could indicate problems.

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Nitesh Kumar Karna
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136 views

Anatomy of Ear

The ear is divided into 3 parts - the outer, middle, and inner ear. The outer ear collects sound waves which vibrate the eardrum, transmitting vibrations through 3 small bones to the inner ear. In the inner ear, vibrations are converted to electrical signals in the cochlea which the brain interprets as sound. The vestibular system in the inner ear helps with balance. During an ear exam, an otoscope is used to inspect the ear canal and eardrum for issues like bulging, perforations, or discharge that could indicate problems.

Uploaded by

Nitesh Kumar Karna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Anatomy of Ear

The ear is the organ of hearing and balance. The parts of the ear include:
1. External or outer ear, consisting of:
 Pinna or auricle. This is the outside part of the ear.
 External auditory canal or tube. This is the tube that connects the outer ear to the inside or
middle ear.
 Tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane divides the external ear from the
middle ear.

2. Middle ear (tympanic cavity), consisting of:


 Ossicles. Three small bones that are connected and transmit the sound waves to the inner ear.
The bones are called:
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
 Eustachian tube. A canal that links the middle ear with the back of the nose. The eustachian
tube helps to equalize the pressure in the middle ear. Equalized pressure is needed for the
proper transfer of sound waves. The eustachian tube is lined with mucous, just like the inside
of the nose and throat.

3. Inner ear, consisting of:


 Cochlea. This contains the nerves for hearing.
 Vestibule. This contains receptors for balance.
 Semicircular canals. This contains receptors for balance.

Physiology of Ear
o 1. Hearing

 Hearing starts with the outer ear. When a sound is made outside the outer ear, the sound
waves, or vibrations, travel down the external auditory canal and strike the eardrum
(tympanic membrane). The eardrum vibrates. The vibrations are then passed to 3 tiny bones
in the middle ear called the ossicles. The ossicles amplify the sound. They send the sound
waves to the inner ear and into the fluid-filled hearing organ (cochlea).
 Once the sound waves reach the inner ear, they are converted into electrical impulses. The
auditory nerve sends these impulses to the brain. The brain then translates these electrical
impulses as sound.
2. Balance
The vestibular apparatus present above the cochlea in the membranous labyrinth is the main
organ for maintaining equilibrium and body balance. It has two sac-like chambers called saccule
and utricle and three semicircular canals. The static equilibrium is maintained by macula of
saccule and utricle and the dynamic equilibrium is detected by the cristae of semicircular canals.

Examination of Ear
Otoscopy

 Hold the otoscope like a pen between the thumb and index finger
 Use your right hand for examination of the right ear and left hand for the left ear
 Slowly insert around 1-1.5cm just past the hair of the lateral canal
 Gently pull the pinna upwards, backwards and outwards
o Be careful! This may cause the patient discomfort if they have inflammation in their
auditory canal.
 Inspect the tympanic membrane
o If bulging it may lose its bony landmarks and usually is a sign of pus in the middle ear
o If retracted it will have accentuated bony landmarks and may signify a dysfunctional
eustachian tube
 Inspect for:
o Discharge, scaling, inflammation, foreign bodies, stenoses, cerumen and exostoses
 Check drum to ensure:
o Not retracted
o No perforations
o Not bulging
o Colour and translucency

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