Ear

views updated Jun 11 2018

Ear

Outer ear

Middle ear

Inner ear

Resources

The human ear is the anatomical structure responsible for hearing and balance. Humans have a pair of ears, as do other vertebrate animals (those animals with backbones). Invertebrate animals lack ears but possess other structures or organs that function in similar ways as ears. The human ear consists of three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ears.

Outer ear

The outer ear collects sounds from the environment and funnels them through the auditory system. The outer ear is composed of three parts, the pinna (or auricle), the

external auditory canal (or external auditory meatus), and the tympanic membrane (or eardrum).

Pinna

The two flap-like structures on either side of the head commonly called ears are actually the pinnas of the outer ear. Pinnas are skin-covered cartilage, not bone, and are therefore flexible. The lowest portion of the pinna is called the lobe or lobule and is the most likely site for the wearing of earrings. The pinnas of most humans cannot move, but these structures are very mobile in other mammals, such as cats and dogs.

External auditory canal

The external auditory canal is a passageway in the temporal lobe of the skull that begins at the ear and extends inward and slightly upwards. In the adult human it is lined with skin and hairs and is approximately 1 in (2.5 cm) long.

The outer one-third portion of the canal is lined with a membrane containing ceruminous (ear wax producing) cells, and hair cells. The purpose of the cerumen and hairs is to protect the eardrum (which lies at the end of the canal) by trapping dirt and foreign bodies and keeping the canal moist. In most individuals, cleaning of the external auditory canal (with Q-tips®, for example) is not needed. The inner two-thirds of the external auditory canal contains no glands or hair cells.

Tympanic membrane/eardrum

The human tympanic membrane or eardrum is a thin, concave membrane stretched across the inner end of the external auditory canal much like the skin covering the top of a drum. The eardrum marks the border between the outer ear and middle ear. The eardrum serves as a transmitter of sound by vibrating in response to sounds traveling down the external auditory canal, and beginning sound conduction in the middle ear.

In the adult human, the tympanic membrane has a total area of approximately 0.1 sq in (63 sq mm), and consists of three layers which contribute to the membranes ability to vibrate while maintaining a protective thickness. The middle point of the tympanic membrane (the umbo) is attached to the stirrup, the first of three bones contained within the middle ear.

Middle ear

The middle ear transmits sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. The middle ear consists of an oval, air-filled space approximately 0.12 cubic in (2 cubic cm) in volume. The middle ear can be thought of as a room, the outer wall of which contains the tympanic membrane. The back wall, separating the middle ear from the inner ear, has two windows, the oval window and the round window. There is a long hallway leading away from the side wall of the room, known as the eustachian tube. The brain lies above the room and the jugular vein lies below. The middle ear is lined entirely with mucous membrane (similar to the nose) and is surrounded by the bones of the skull.

Eustachian tube

The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. This tube is normally closed, opening only because of muscle movement during yawning, sneezing, or swallowing. The eustachian tube allows for air pressure equalization, permitting the air pressure in the middle ear to match the air pressure in the outer ear. The most noticeable example of eustachian tube function occurs when there is a quick change in altitude, such as when an airplane takes off. Prior to takeoff, the pressure in the outer ear is equal to the pressure in the middle ear. When the airplane gains altitude, the air pressure in the outer ear decreases while the pressure in the middle ear remains the same. This action causes the ear to feel plugged. In response to this the ear may pop. The popping sensation is actually the quick opening and closing of the eustachian tube, and the equalization of pressure between the outer and middle ear.

Bones/ossicles and muscles

Three tiny bones (the ossicles) in the middle ear form a chain which conducts sound waves from the tympanic membrane (outer ear) to the oval window (inner ear). The three bones are the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus), and the stirrup (stapes). These bones are connected and move as a link chain might, causing pressure at the oval window and the transmission of energy from the middle ear to the inner ear. Sound waves cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate, which sets up vibrations in the ossicles, which amplify the sounds and transmits them to the inner ear via the oval windows.

In addition to bones, the middle ear houses the two muscles, the stapedius and the tensor tympani, which respond reflexively, that is, without conscious control.

Inner ear

The inner ear is responsible for interpreting and transmitting sound (auditory) sensations and balance (vestibular) sensations to the brain. The inner ear is small (about the size of a pea) and complex in shape, where its series of winding interconnected chambers, has been compared to (and called) a labyrinth. The main components of the inner ear are the vestibule, semicircular canals, and the cochlea.

Vestibule

The vestibule, a round open space that accesses various passageways, is the central structure within the inner ear. The outer wall of the vestibule contains the oval and round windows (which are the connection sites between the middle and inner ear). Internally, the vestibule contains two membranous sacs, the utricle and the saccule, which are lined with tiny hair cells and

KEY TERMS

Auricle Also called pinna or external ear, it is the flap-like organ on either side of the head.

Cerumen Also known as ear wax, it is an oily, fatty fluid secreted from glands within the external auditory canal.

Cochlea A snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that contains the anatomical structures responsible for hearing.

Eustachian tube A passageway leading from the middle ear to the nasopharynx or throat.

External auditory canal Also called a meatus, it is the tunnel or passageway that begins from the external ear and extends inward towards the eardrum.

Organ of Corti A structure located in the scala media of the cochlea that contains hair cells responsible for hearing.

Ossicles Three tiny, connected bones located in the middle ear.

Stapedius muscle A muscle located in the middle ear that reflexively contracts in response to loud sounds.

Tympanic membrane Also known as the eardrum, it is a thin membrane located at the end of the external auditory canal, which separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

Vestibular system System within the body that is responsible for balance and equilibrium.

attached to nerve fibers, and serve as the vestibular (balance/equilibrium) sense organs.

Semicircular canals

Attached to the utricle within the vestibular portion of the inner ear are three loop-shaped, fluid-filled tubes called the semicircular canals. The semicircular canals are named according to their location (lateral, superior, and posterior) and are arranged perpendicular to each other, like the floor and two corner walls of a box. The semicircular canals are a key part of the vestibular system and allow for maintenance of balance when the head or body rotates.

Cochlea

The cochlea is the site of the sense organs for hearing. The cochlea consists of a bony, snail-like shell that contains three separate fluid-filled ducts or canals. The upper canal, the scala vestibuli, begins at the oval window, while the lower canal, the scala tympani, begins at the round window. Between the two canals lies the third canal, the scala media. The scala media is separated from the scala vestibuli by Reissners membrane and from the scala tympani by the basilar membrane. The scala media contains the organ of Corti, (named after the nineteenth century anatomist who first described it). The organ of Corti lies along the entire length of the basilar membrane. The organ contains hair cells and is the site of the conversion of sound waves into nerve impulses, which are sent to the brain, for auditory interpretation along cranial nerve VIII, also known as the auditory nerve.

Resources

BOOKS

Martin, Frederick. Introduction to Audiology. 9th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2006.

Moller, Aage R. Sensory Systems: Anatomy and Physiology. New York: Academic Press, 2002.

National Institute of Aging. Hearing Loss. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute on Aging, 2002.

OTHER

KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation. Lets Hear it for the Ear. <http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/body/ear_noSW.html> (accessed October 9, 2006).

Kate Glynn

Ear

views updated Jun 08 2018

Ear

The human ear is the organ responsible for hearing and balance. The ear consists of three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ears.

Outer ear

The outer ear collects external sounds and funnels them through the auditory system. The outer ear is composed of three parts, the pinna (or auricle), the auditory canal, and the eardrum (tympanic membrane).

What are commonly called earsthe two flaplike structures on either side of the headare actually the pinnas of the outer ear. Pinnas are skin-covered cartilage, not bone, and are therefore flexible.

The auditory canal is a passageway that begins at the ear and extends inward and slightly upwards. In the adult human it is lined with skin and hairs and is approximately 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long. The outer one-third of the canal is lined with wax-producing cells and fine hairs. The purpose of the ear wax and hairs is to protect the eardrum (which lies at the end of the canal) by trapping dirt and foreign bodies and keeping the canal moist.

The eardrum is a thin, concave membrane stretched across the inner end of the auditory canal much like the skin covering the top of a drum. The eardrum marks the border between the outer ear and middle ear. In the adult human, the eardrum has a total area of approximately 0.1 square inch (0.6 square centimeter). The middle point of the eardrumcalled the umbois attached to the stirrup, the first of three bones contained within the middle ear.

Middle ear

The middle ear transmits sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. The middle ear consists of an oval, air-filled space approximately 0.1 cubic inch (2 cubic centimeters) in volume. Contained in this space are three tiny bones called ossicles (pronounced OS-si-kuls). Because of their shapes, the three ossicles are known as the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus), and the stirrup (stapes).

Words to Know

Auditory canal: Tunnel or passageway that begins at the external ear and extends inward toward the eardrum.

Cochlea: Snail-like structure in the inner ear that contains the anatomical structures responsible for hearing.

Eardrum: Also known as the tympanic membrane, a thin membrane located at the end of the auditory canal separating the outer ear from the middle ear.

Eustachian tube: A passageway leading from the middle ear to the throat.

Organ of Corti: Structure located in the cochlea that is the chief part of the ear through which sound is perceived.

Ossicles: Three tiny, connected bones located in the middle ear.

Otitis media: Ear infection common in children in which the middle ear space fills with fluid.

Otosclerosis: Hereditary disease that causes the ossicles to stiffen due to a build up of calcium.

Pinna: Also called auricle or external ear, the flaplike organ on either side of the head.

Vestibular system: System within the body that is responsible for balance and equilibrium.

Connecting the middle ear to the throat is the eustachian tube (pronounced you-STAY-she-an). This tube is normally closed, opening only as a result of muscle movement during yawning, sneezing, or swallowing. The eustachian tube causes air pressure in the middle ear to match the air pressure in the outer ear. The most noticeable example of eustachian tube function occurs when there is a quick change in altitude, such as when a plane takes off. Prior to takeoff, the pressure in the outer ear is equal to the pressure in the middle ear. When the plane gains altitude, the air pressure in the outer ear decreases, while the pressure in the middle ear remains the same, causing the ear to feel "plugged." In response to this the ear may "pop." The popping sensation is actually the quick opening and closing of the eustachian tube, and the equalization of pressure between the outer and middle ear.

Inner ear

The inner ear is responsible for interpreting and transmitting sound and balance sensations to the brain. The inner ear is small (about the size of a pea) and complex in shape. With its series of winding interconnected chambers, it has been called a labyrinth. The main components of the inner ear are the vestibule, semicircular canals, and the cochlea (pronounced COCK-lee-a).

The vestibule, a round open space, is the central structure within the inner ear. The vestibule contains two membranous sacsthe utriculus (pronounced you-TRIK-yuh-les) and the sacculus (pronounced SAC-yuhles). These sacs, lined with tiny hairs and attached to nerve fibers, function as a person's chief organs of balance.

Attached to the vestibule are three loop-shaped, fluid-filled tubes called the semicircular canals. These canals, arranged perpendicular to each other, are a key part of the vestibular system. Two of the canals help the body maintain balance when it is moving vertically, such as in falling and jumping. The third maintains horizontal balance, as when the head or body rotates.

The cochlea is the organ of hearing. The cochlea consists of a bony, snail-like shell that contains three separate fluid-filled ducts or canals. The middle canal contains the basilar membrane, which holds the organ of Corti, named after Italian anatomist Alfonso Giacomo Gaspare Corti (18221876) who discovered it. The organ contains some 20,000 hair cells connected at their base to the auditory nerve. The organ is the site where sound waves are converted into nerve impulses, which are then sent to the brain along the auditory nerve.

Hearing

Sound vibrations travel through air, water, or solids in the form of sound waves. These waves are captured by the pinna of the outer ear and transmitted through the auditory canal to the eardrum.

The eardrum vibrates in response to the pressure of the sound waves. The initial vibration causes the eardrum to be pushed inward by an amount equal to the intensity of the sound, so that loud sounds push the eardrum inward more than soft sounds. Once the eardrum is pushed inward, the pressure within the middle ear causes the eardrum to be pulled outward, setting up a back-and-forth motion.

The movement of the eardrum sets all three ossicles in motion. The vibrating pressure of the stirrup (last ossicle) on the small opening leading to the inner ear sets the fluid in the cochlea in motion. The fluid motion causes a corresponding, but not equal, wavelike motion of the basilar membrane.

When the basilar membrane moves, it causes the small hairs on the top of the hair cells of the Corti to bend. The bending of the hair cells causes chemical actions within the cells themselves, creating electrical impulses in the nerve fibers attached to the bottom of the hair cells. The nerve impulses travel up the auditory nerve to the brain. Loud sounds cause a large number of hair cells to be moved and many nerve impulses to be transmitted to the brain.

Hearing disorders

A problem in any part of the ear may cause a hearing disorder or hearing loss. In general, hearing loss may be caused by a birth defect, an injury, or a disease.

Birth defects may include missing pinnas, low-set pinnas, abnormalities in the size and shape of the pinnas, or a narrowing or complete closure of the auditory canal. These conditions may be corrected by surgery. Other birth defects that can affect hearing include premature birth, low birth weight, and illnesses suffered by the mother during pregnancy (such as measles). These defects damage the inner ear, specifically the cochlea. Medical treatment for this type of hearing loss is very rare. However, many individuals gain some benefit by wearing hearing aids.

Injury to the eardrum is common. A perforated or torn eardrum may be caused by a buildup of fluid in the middle ear, a direct puncture, explosion, or blast. When the normally taut eardrum is perforated, it becomes slack and does not vibrate properly. In some cases, the eardrum will heal itself without treatment. In more serious cases, surgical treatment may be necessary.

Ossicles are very susceptible to trauma. Injured ossicles may become unattached, broken, or excessively stiff. Once again, surgical treatment may correct the disorder and restore hearing.

There are a variety of diseases that can affect the ear, causing a hearing loss. Otitis media, a common condition in children, refers to an ear infection within the middle ear space. When this normally air-filled space is filled with fluid, the movement of the bones is affected and sound cannot be transmitted easily. The typical treatment for otitis media is medication (antibiotics and decongestants). Otosclerosis is a disease that causes the ossicles to stiffen due to a build-up of calcium. It is a hereditary disorder (inherited through family), develops in early adulthood, and is more common in women than men. Treatment may include surgery or the use of a hearing aid.

Ear

views updated May 23 2018

Ear

The human ear is the anatomical structure responsible for hearing and balance. The ear consists of three parts: the outer, middle, and inner ears.


Outer ear

The outer ear collects sounds from the environment and funnels them through the auditory system. The outer ear is composed of three parts, the pinna (or auricle), the external auditory canal (or external auditory meatus), and the tympanic membrane (or eardrum).


Pinna

The two flap-like structures on either side of the head commonly called ears are actually the pinnas of the outer ear. Pinnas are skin-covered cartilage, not bone, and are therefore flexible. The lowest portion of the pinna is called the lobe or lobule and is the most likely site for earrings. The pinnas of most humans cannot move, but these structures are very mobile in other mammals , such as cats and dogs.


External auditory canal

The external auditory canal is a passageway in the temporal lobe of the skull that begins at the ear and extends inward and slightly upwards. In the adult human it is lined with skin and hairs and is approximately 1 in (2.5 cm) long.

The outer one-third portion of the canal is lined with a membrane containing ceruminous (ear wax producing) cells, and hair cells. The purpose of the cerumen and hairs is to protect the eardrum (which lies at the end of the canal) by trapping dirt and foreign bodies and keeping the canal moist. In most individuals, cleaning of the external auditory canal (with Q-tips for example) is not needed. The inner two-thirds of the external auditory canal contains no glands or hair cells.


Tympanic membrane/eardrum

The human tympanic membrane or eardrum is a thin, concave membrane stretched across the inner end of the external auditory canal much like the skin covering the top of a drum. The eardrum marks the border between the outer ear and middle ear. The eardrum serves as a transmitter of sound by vibrating in response to sounds traveling down the external auditory canal, and beginning sound conduction in the middle ear.

In the adult human, the tympanic membrane has a total area of approximately 63 sq mm, and consists of three layers which contribute to the membrane's ability to vibrate while maintaining a protective thickness. The middle point of the tympanic membrane (the umbo) is attached to the stirrup, the first of three bones contained within the middle ear.


Middle ear

The middle ear transmits sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. The middle ear consists of an oval, air-filled space approximately 2 cubic cm in volume . The middle ear can be thought of as a room, the outer wall of which contains the tympanic membrane. The back wall, separating the middle ear from the inner ear, has two windows, the oval window and the round window. There is a long hallway leading away from the side wall of the room, known as the eustachian tube. The brain lies above the room and the jugular vein lies below. The middle ear is lined entirely with mucous membrane (similar to the nose) and is surrounded by the bones of the skull.


Eustachian tube

The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. This tube is normally closed, opening only as a result of muscle movement during yawning, sneezing, or swallowing. The eustachian tube allows for air pressure equalization, permitting the air pressure in the middle ear to match the air pressure in the outer ear. The most noticeable example of eustachian tube function occurs when there is a quick change in altitude, such as when a plane takes off. Prior to takeoff, the pressure in the outer ear is equal to the pressure in the middle ear. When the plane gains altitude, the air pressure in the outer ear decreases, while the pressure in the middle ear remains the same, causing the ear to feel "plugged." In response to this the ear may "pop." The popping sensation is actually the quick opening and closing of the eustachian tube, and the equalization of pressure between the outer and middle ear.


Bones/ossicles and muscles

Three tiny bones (the ossicles) in the middle ear form a chain which conducts sound waves from the tympanic membrane (outer ear) to the oval window (inner ear). The three bones are the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus), and the stirrup (stapes). These bones are connected and move as a link chain might, causing pressure at the oval window and the transmission of energy from the middle ear to the inner ear. Sound waves cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate, which sets up vibrations in the ossicles, which amplify the sounds and transmits them to the inner ear via the oval windows.

In addition to bones, the middle ear houses the two muscles, the stapedius and the tensor tympani, which respond reflexively, that is, without conscious control.

Inner ear

The inner ear is responsible for interpreting and transmitting sound (auditory) sensations and balance (vestibular) sensations to the brain. The inner ear is small (about the size of a pea) and complex in shape, where its series of winding interconnected chambers, has been compared to (and called) a labyrinth. The main components of the inner ear are the vestibule, semicircular canals, and the cochlea.


Vestibule

The vestibule, a round open space which accesses various passageways, is the central structure within the inner ear. The outer wall of the vestibule contains the oval and round windows (which are the connection sites between the middle and inner ear). Internally, the vestibule contains two membranous sacs, the utricle and the saccule, which are lined with tiny hair cells and attached to nerve fibers, and serve as the vestibular (balance/equilibrium) sense organs.


Semicircular canals

Attached to the utricle within the vestibular portion of the inner ear are three loop-shaped, fluid filled tubes called the semicircular canals. The semicircular canals are named according to their location ("lateral," "superior," and "posterior") and are arranged perpendicular to each other, like the floor and two corner walls of a box. The semicircular canals are a key part of the vestibular system and allow for maintenance of balance when the head or body rotates.


Cochlea

The cochlea is the site of the sense organs for hearing. The cochlea consists of a bony, snail-like shell that contains three separate fluid-filled ducts or canals. The upper canal, the scala vestibuli, begins at the oval window, while the lower canal, the scala tympani, begins at the round window. Between the two canals lies the third canal, the scala media. The scala media is separated from the scala vestibuli by Reissner's membrane and from the scala tympani by the basilar membrane. The scala media contains the organ of Corti, (named after the nineteenth century anatomist who first described it). The organ of Corti lies along the entire length of the basilar membrane. The organ contains hair cells and is the site of the conversion of sound waves into nerve impulses, which are sent to the brain, for auditory interpretation along cranial nerve VIII, also known as the auditory nerve.

Resources

books

Mango, Karin. Hearing Loss. New York: Franklin Watts, 1991.

Martin, Frederick. Introduction to Audiology. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1991.

Moller, Aage R. Sensory Systems: Anatomy and Physiology. New York: Academic Press, 2002.

periodicals

Mestel, Rosie. "Pinna to the Fore." Discover 14 (June 1993): 45–54.


Kate Glynn

KEY TERMS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auricle

—Also called pinna or external ear, is the flap-like organ on either side of the head.

Cerumen

—Also known as ear wax, is an oily, fatty fluid secreted from glands within the external auditory canal.

Cochlea

—A snail-shaped structure in the inner ear which contains the anatomical structures responsible for hearing.

Eustachian tube

—A passageway leading from the middle ear to the nasopharynx or throat.

External auditory canal

—Also called a meatus, is the tunnel or passageway which begins from the external ear and extends inward towards the eardrum.

Organ of Corti

—A structure located in the scala media of the cochlea, contains hair cells responsible for hearing.

Ossicles

—Three tiny, connected bones located in the middle ear.

Stapedius muscle

—A muscle located in the middle ear which reflexively contracts in response to loud sounds.

Tympanic membrane

—Also known as the eardrum, is a thin membrane located at the end of the external auditory canal, separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

Vestibular system

—System within the body that is responsible for balance and equilibrium.

ear

views updated Jun 11 2018

ear1 / i(ə)r/ • n. the organ of hearing and balance in humans and other vertebrates, esp. the external part of this. ∎  an organ sensitive to sound in other animals. ∎  an ability to recognize, appreciate, and reproduce sounds, esp. music or language: an ear for melody. ∎  used to refer to a person's willingness to listen and pay attention to something: she offers a sympathetic ear to worried pet owners. ∎  an ear-shaped thing, esp. the handle of a jug.PHRASES: be all ears inf. be listening eagerly and attentively.one's ears are burning one is subconsciously aware of being talked about or criticized.have something coming out of one's ears inf. have a substantial or excessive amount of something: that man's got money coming out of his ears.have someone's ear have access to and influence with someone: he claimed to have the prime minister's ear.have (or keep) an ear to the ground be well informed about events and trends.in one ear and out the other heard but disregarded or quickly forgotten: whatever he tells me seems to go in one ear and out the other.up to one's ears in inf. very busy with or deeply involved in: I'm up to my ears in work here.DERIVATIVES: eared adj. [in comb.] long-eared.ear·less adj.ear2 • n. the seed-bearing head or spike of a cereal plant. ∎  a head of corn.

Ear

views updated May 17 2018

132. Ear

See also 14. ANATOMY ; 51. BODY, HUMAN ; 111. DEAFNESS ; 198. HEARING .

audialgesia
Medicine. a pain in the ear; earache.
auriscope
an instrument for examining the ear.
auriscopy
the art of using the auriscope.
otalgia
an earache.
otiatrics, otiatry
Medicine. the therapeutics of ear diseases. otiatric , adj.
oticodinia
a vertigo resulting from ear disease. Also oticodinosis .
otitis
Medicine. any variety of inflammation in the ear. otitic , adj.
otography
1 . the science of the ear.
2 . a scientific description of the ear.
otology
1 . the branch of medicine that studies the ear and its diseases.
2 . the treatment of ear disorders. otologist , n. otologic , otological , adj.
otopathy
an abnormal condition or disease of the ear.
otoplasty
plastic surgery of the ear.
otopyorrhea
the discharge or flowing of pus from the ear.
otorrhea
any flowing or discharge from the ear.
otoscopy
a visual inspection of the ear drum and the auditory canal. otoscopic , adj.
pachyotia
abnormal thickness of the ears.
tinnitus
a ringing or whistling sound in the ears, not caused by any outside stimulus.

ear

views updated May 23 2018

ear.
1. Acroter or horn of an altar, sarcophagus, or stele.

2. Crossette.

3. Lug or tab.

ear

views updated May 11 2018

ear Organ of hearing and balance. It converts sound waves to nerve impulses which are carried to the brain. In most mammals, it consists of the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer ear carries sound to the eardrum. The middle ear is air-filled, and has three tiny bones (ossicles) that pass on and amplify sound vibrations to the fluid-filled inner ear. The inner ear contains the cochlea and semi-circular canals. Vibrations stimulate tiny hairs in these organs which cause impulses to be sent via the auditory nerve to the brain. The inner ear also contains semi-circular canals that maintain orientation and balance.

ear

views updated May 11 2018

ear The sense organ in vertebrates that is specialized for the detection of sound and the maintenance of balance. It can be divided into the outer ear and middle ear, which collect and transmit sound waves, and the inner ear, which contains the organs of balance and (except in fish) hearing (see illustration). The term ear is often used for the pinna of the mammalian outer ear.

ear

views updated May 14 2018

ear (eer) n. the sense organ concerned with hearing and balance. Sound waves, transmitted from the outside into the external auditory meatus, cause the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to vibrate. The small bones (ossicles) of the middle ear – the malleus, incus, and stapes – transmit the sound vibrations to the fenestra ovalis, which leads to the inner ear (see labyrinth). Inside the cochlea the sound vibrations are converted into nerve impulses. Pressure within the ear is released through the Eustachian tube. The semicircular canals, saccule, and utricle – also in the inner ear – are all concerned with balance.

ear

views updated May 21 2018

ear2 spike of corn. OE. ēar (Nhb. æhher) = OS. ahar (Du. aar), OHG. ahir, ehir (G. ähre), ON. ax, Goth. ahs :- Gmc. *aχuz, *aχiz, rel. to L. acus, acer- husk, chaff, f. IE. *ak- be sharp or pointed (cf. EDGE).