What does the ear look like?
Outer Ear
- The outer ear, or auricle, is the visible part of the ear. It is a complex structure made of cartilage covered with skin.
- The auricle can be divided into three main parts:
- the helix, which is the curved outer rim of the ear,
- the concha, which is the bowl-shaped area in the center of the ear,
- and the lobule, which is the soft, fleshy piece of skin at the bottom of the ear.
- The auricle helps to direct sound waves into the ear canal. It also protects the delicate inner ear from damage.
Ear Canal
- The ear canal is a tube that leads from the auricle to the middle ear.
- It is lined with skin and contains wax glands that produce earwax.
- Earwax helps to protect the ear canal from infection and damage.
Middle Ear
- The middle ear is a small air-filled cavity located behind the eardrum.
- It contains three small bones, called the malleus, incus, and stapes.
- These bones are connected to the eardrum and the inner ear, and they help to transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
Inner Ear
- The inner ear is a complex system of fluid-filled channels and chambers located deep within the temporal bone. It contains the cochlea, which is a spiral-shaped organ that is responsible for hearing, and the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance.