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The Anatomy of the Ear

There are 3 main parts to the ear:

Outer Ear (Show)
Pinna (auricle) – collects and funnels sound into the ear canal.
Ear canal (external auditory meatus) – directs sound into the ear.
 
Middle Ear (Show)
Eardrum (tympanic membrane) – changes sound into vibrations.
Chain of three small bones (ossicles) – hammer, anvil and stirrup (malleus, incus and stapes) – transfers vibrations to the inner ear.
 
Inner Ear (Show)
Inner ear (cochlea) – contains fluid and highly sensitive cells (hair cells), with tiny hairlike structures that move with sound vibrations.
Vestibular system – contains cells that control balance.
Auditory nerve – leads from the cochlea to the brain.
   

 

 

 
 

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