Normal Structure and Function of Ears

What is it about?

Ear, one of the most advanced sense organs, is divided into three structural and functional sections. The tympanic membrane, which divides the outer ear from the middle ear, receives sound vibrations from the outer half, which includes the pinna and auditory canal. These vibrations are picked up by the middle ear, which houses the three ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) where they are amplified. The vibrations are transmitted from the middle ear to the inner ear, which houses the spiral-shaped cochlea as the sensing organ. The stereocilia found in the hair cells of the organ of Corti in the cochlea are responsible for opening the mechanotransduction channels, which allow the nerve signal to reach the brain. In this way, the vibrations are transformed into audible sound.

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Why is it important?

Understanding ear anatomy is important because it helps us understand the complexities of hearing and balance, which are necessary for diagnosing and treating ear diseases, as well as understanding the delicate mechanisms that allow us to perceive sound and spatial direction.

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