Anatomy of the ear: structure, functions, physiological features. Structure and function of the outer, middle and inner ear. Bone transmission of sounds. binaural hearing

There are a lot of diseases that signal their development with pain in the ears. To determine what specific disease affected the organ of hearing, you need to understand how the human ear is arranged.

Diagram of the auditory organ

First of all, let's understand what an ear is. This is auditory-vestibular paired organ, which performs only 2 functions: the perception of sound impulses and responsibility for position human body in space, as well as for maintaining balance. If you look at the human ear from the inside, its structure suggests the presence of 3 parts:

• external (external);
• average;
• internal.

Each of them has its own no less intricate device. Connecting, they are a long pipe penetrating into the depths of the head. Let us consider the structure and functions of the ear in more detail (the diagram of the human ear demonstrates them best).

What is the outer ear

The structure of the human ear (its outer part) is represented by 2 components:

• ear shell;
• external ear canal.

The shell is an elastic cartilage that completely covers the skin. He has complex shape. In its lower segment there is a lobe - this is a small skin fold filled with fat inside. By the way, it is the outer part that has the most high sensitivity to various types of injury. For example, for fighters in the ring, it often has a form that is very far from its original form.

The auricle serves as a kind of receiver for sound waves, which, falling into it, penetrate deep into the organ of hearing. Since it has a folded structure, the sound enters the passage with little distortion. The degree of error depends, in particular, on the place where the sound comes from. Its location is horizontal or vertical.

It turns out that more accurate information about where the sound source is located enters the brain. So, it can be argued that the main function of the shell is to catch sounds that should enter the human ear.

If you look a little deeper, you can see that the shell extends the cartilage of the external ear canal. Its length is 25-30 mm. Next, the cartilage zone is replaced by bone. outer ear completely lines the skin, which contains 2 types of glands:

• sulfuric;
• greasy.

The outer ear, the device of which we have already described, is separated from the middle part of the hearing organ by a membrane (it is also called the tympanic membrane).

How is the middle ear

If we consider the middle ear, its anatomy is:

• tympanic cavity;
• eustachian tube;
• mastoid process.

All of them are interconnected. The tympanic cavity is a membrane and area outlined inner ear space. Its location is the temporal bone. The structure of the ear here looks like this: in the anterior part, there is a union of the tympanic cavity with the nasopharynx (the function of the connector is performed by the Eustachian tube), and in its posterior part, with the mastoid process through the entrance to its cavity. AT tympanic cavity there is air that enters through the eustachian tube.

The anatomy of the ear of a person (child) up to 3 years old has a significant difference from how the ear of an adult is arranged. Babies don't have bone passage, and the mastoid process has not yet grown. The children's middle ear is represented by only one bone ring. Its inner edge has the shape of a groove. It just houses the tympanic membrane. In the upper zones of the middle ear (where there is no this ring), the membrane is connected to the lower edge of the scales of the temporal bone.

When the baby reaches the age of 3, the formation of his ear canal is completed - the structure of the ear becomes the same as in adults.

Anatomical features of the internal department

The inner ear is the most difficult part of it. The anatomy in this part is very complex, so she was given a second name - "membranous labyrinth of the ear." It is located in the stony zone of the temporal bone. It is attached to the middle ear with windows - round and oval. Comprises:

• vestibule;
• snails with the organ of Corti;
• semicircular canals (filled with fluid).

In addition, the inner ear, the structure of which provides for the presence of the vestibular system (apparatus), is responsible for constantly keeping the body in a state of balance by a person, as well as for the possibility of accelerating in space. The vibrations that occur in the oval window are transmitted to the fluid that fills the semicircular canals. The latter serves as an irritant for the receptors located in the cochlea, and this already becomes the cause of the launch of nerve impulses.

It should be noted that the vestibular apparatus has receptors in the form of hairs (stereocilia and kinocilia), which are located on special elevations - maculae. These hairs are located one opposite the other. By shifting, stereocilia provoke the occurrence of excitation, and kinocilia help inhibition.

Summing up

In order to more accurately imagine the structure of the human ear, the diagram of the organ of hearing should be in front of the eyes. It usually depicts a detailed structure of the human ear.

Obviously, the human ear is a rather complex system, consisting of many different formations, each of which performs a number of important and truly irreplaceable functions. The diagram of the ear demonstrates this clearly.

Regarding the structure of the outer part of the ear, it should be noted that each person has individual genetically determined features that in no way affect the main function of the hearing organ.

Ears need regular hygienic care. If you neglect this need, you can partially or completely lose your hearing. Also, lack of hygiene can lead to the development of diseases affecting all parts of the ear.

The human ear is a unique organ, the structure of which is distinguished by a rather complex scheme. However, at the same time, it works very simply. The human auditory organ is capable of receiving sound signals, amplifying them and converting them from simple mechanical vibrations into electrical nerve impulses.

The human ear includes a large number of difficult parts, to the study of which an entire science is devoted. Today you will see a photo of its structure diagrams, find out how the outer, middle and inner ear differ from each other and how the auricle works.

auricle: structure

It is known that the human ear is paired organ, which is located in the region of the temporal part of the human skull. However, the structure auricle we cannot study it ourselves, because our auditory canal is too deeply located. We can see with our own eyes only the auricles. The ear has the ability to perceive sound waves having a length of 20 m or 20 thousand mechanical vibrations per unit of time.

The ear is the organ responsible for a person's ability to hear. And so that he can correctly perform this function, involve the following parts:

Also The ear includes:

• lobe;
• tragus;
• antitragus;
• antihelix;
• curl.

The auricle is attached to the temple with the help of special muscles, which are called vestigial.

Similar structure this body exposes him to many negative influences from outside, also ear is prone to inflammation or hematoma. Exist pathological conditions, some of them are congenital in nature and may be reflected in the underdevelopment of the auricle.

Outer ear: structure

The outer part of the human ear is formed by the auricle and the external auditory meatus. The shell has the appearance of dense elastic cartilage, which is covered with skin on top. Below is a lobe - this is a single fold of skin and adipose tissue. The similar structure of the auricle is such that it is not very stable and is very sensitive even to minimal mechanical damage. Quite often you can meet professional athletes who have deformities of the auricles in an acute form.

This part of the ear is the so-called receiver of mechanical sound waves, as well as the frequencies around us. It is the shell that is responsible for relaying signals from the outside to the ear canal.

It is equipped with folds that are able to receive and handle frequency distortion. All this is necessary in order for the brain to be able to perceive the required information for orientation on the ground, i.e. performs a navigation function. Also, this part of the ear is capable of creating surround stereo sound in the ear canal.

It can pick up sounds within a radius of 20 meters, this is due to the fact that the shell is connected directly to the ear canal. And then the passage cartilage passes into bone tissue.

The ear canal includes sulfur glands responsible for the formation of sulfur, which will be needed to protect the ear from the negative effects of bacteria. The sound waves that the sink perceives then enter the passage and then removed on the membrane. And so that it does not break when elevated level noise, it is recommended to open your mouth at this moment, this repels the sound wave from the membrane. From the auricle, all vibrations of sound and noise pass into the region of the middle ear.

The structure of the middle ear

The clinical form of the middle ear looks like a tympanic cavity. It is located next to temporal bone and is a vacuum space. The auditory bones are located here:

• stapes;
• hammer;
• anvil.

All of them convert noise towards the inner ear from the outer.

Looking at the building in detail auditory ossicles, it can be noted that they resemble a connected chain transmitting sound vibrations. The handle of the malleus is closely located near the tympanic membrane, then the head of the malleus is fastened to the anvil, which, in turn, is already with the stirrup. If the work of one of these parts of the circuit is disrupted, then a person may get hearing problems.

Anatomically, the middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx. The Eustachian tube is used as a link, it regulates the pressure of the air that comes in from the outside. When the ambient pressure drops or rises sharply, the person complains of stuffy ears. Therefore, the change of weather also affects well-being.

About active protection brain damage says strong headache turning into a migraine. When external pressure changes, the body reacts to it by yawning. To get rid of this, you need to swallow saliva a couple of times or blow sharply into a pinched nose.

Unlike the outer and middle ear, the inner ear has the most complex structure; otolaryngologists call it a labyrinth. This part of the ear includes:

• vestibule;
• snails;
• semicircular canals.

Then the separation takes place anatomical forms labyrinth.

In anticipation of the snail, sac and uterus connect to the endolymphatic duct. Here it is clinical form receptor fields. Then the semicircular canals are located:

• front;
• rear;
• lateral.

Each of these channels has a stem and an ampullar end.

The inner ear looks like a cochlea, its parts are:

• vestibule ladder;
• duct;
• drum ladder;
• organ of Corti.

The columnar cells are located in the organ of Corti.

Physiological features of human ears

Our hearing organ in the body has two key purposes:

• forms and maintains the balance of the human body;
• receives and converts noise and vibrations into sound forms.

In order for us to be in balance even during rest, and not just when moving, the vestibular apparatus must work constantly. But not everyone knows that our feature of walking on two legs in a straight line lies in the structural features of the inner ear. This mechanism is based on the principle of communicating vessels, which have the form of an auditory organ.

This organ includes semicircular canals that maintain fluid pressure in our body. When a person changes the position of the body (changes rest to movement and vice versa), but clinical structure hearing organ is able to adapt to a particular physiological state and regulates intracranial pressure.

Human sound sensations and their nature

Can a person feel all the vibrations of the air? Not really. A person can transform air vibrations only from 16 to thousands of hertz, but we are no longer able to hear infra- and ultrasounds. So, infrasounds in nature can appear in such cases:

• lightning strike;
• earthquake;
• Hurricane;
• storm.

Elephants and whales are especially sensitive to infrasound. They seek shelter when a hurricane or storm approaches. But night butterflies can hear ultrasounds, the bats and some types of birds. Perception of this kind of vibration in nature called echolocation. It is used in areas such as:

• cosmetology;
• the medicine;
• different types productions.

So, we have learned that the structure of the ear includes three main parts:

• external;
• average;
• internal.

Each part has its own anatomical features, which determine their functions. The outer part includes the auricle and outer passage, middle - auditory ossicles, and internal - sensitive hairs, respectively. In the aggregate of their work, the ear provides entry into receptors sound vibrations , converting them into nerve impulses, then they are transmitted through neural processes to central department sensory system person.

It is very important to include ear care in your daily hygiene, because if its functional mechanisms are disturbed, it can lead to hearing loss or a number of diseases related to middle, inner or outer ear problems.

Hearing loss leads a person to partial isolation from outside world, of course, that is not the same as with loss of vision, but the psychological component here is also very strong. Therefore, regularly taking care of your hearing organs and consulting a doctor if something worries you in this regard is very important for each of us.

There is nothing surprising in the fact that a person is considered to be the most perfect sensory organ. hearing aid. It contains the highest concentration nerve cells(over 30,000 sensors).

Human hearing aid

The structure of this apparatus is very complex. People understand the mechanism by which the perception of sounds is carried out, but scientists are not yet fully aware of the sensation of hearing, the essence of signal transformation.

In the structure of the ear, the following main parts are distinguished:

• outdoor;
• average;
• internal.

Each of the above areas is responsible for performing specific work. The outer part is considered a receiver that perceives sounds from the external environment, the middle part is an amplifier, and the inner part is a transmitter.

The structure of the human ear

The main components of this part:

• ear canal;
• auricle.

The auricle consists of cartilage (it is characterized by elasticity, elasticity). It is covered on top skin. Below is the lobe. This area has no cartilage. It includes adipose tissue, skin. The auricle is considered a rather sensitive organ.

Anatomy

Smaller elements of the auricle are:

• curl;
• tragus;
• antihelix;
• curl legs;
• antitragus.

Koshcha is a specific coating lining the ear canal. Inside it contains glands that are considered to be vital. They secrete a secret that protects against many agents (mechanical, thermal, infectious).

The end of the passage is represented by a kind of dead end. This particular barrier eardrum) is needed to separate the outer, middle ear. It begins to oscillate when sound waves hit it. After the sound wave hits the wall, the signal is transmitted further, towards the middle part of the ear.

Blood to this site goes through two branches of arteries. The outflow of blood is carried out through the veins (v. auricularis posterior, v. retromandibularis). localized in front, behind the auricle. They also carry out the removal of lymph.

In the photo, the structure of the outer ear

Functions

Let us indicate the significant functions that are assigned to the outer part of the ear. She is capable of:

• receive sounds;
• transmit sounds to the middle part of the ear;
• direct the wave of sound towards the inside of the ear.

Possible pathologies, diseases, injuries

Let's note the most common diseases:

Average

The middle ear plays a huge role in signal amplification. Amplification is possible due to the auditory ossicles.

Structure

We indicate the main components of the middle ear:

• tympanic cavity;
• auditory (Eustachian) tube.

The first component (tympanic membrane) contains a chain inside, which includes small bones. tiny bones play important role in the transmission of sound vibrations. The eardrum consists of 6 walls. Its cavity contains 3 auditory ossicles:

• hammer. Such a bone is endowed with a rounded head. This is how it is connected to the handle;
• anvil. It includes the body, processes (2 pieces) of different lengths. With the stirrup, its connection is made by means of a slight oval thickening, which is located at the end of a long process;
• stirrup. In its structure, a small head is distinguished, bearing an articular surface, an anvil, legs (2 pcs.).

Arteries go to the tympanic cavity from a. carotis externa, being its branches. Lymphatic vessels directed to the nodes located on the lateral wall of the pharynx, as well as to those nodes that are localized behind the ear shell.

The structure of the middle ear

Functions

Bones from the chain are needed for:

1. Conducting sound.
2. Transmission of vibrations.

The muscles located in the middle ear area are specialized for various functions:

• protective. Muscle fibers protect the inner ear from sound irritations;
• tonic. Muscle fibers are necessary to maintain the chain of auditory ossicles, the tone of the tympanic membrane;
• accommodative. The sound-conducting apparatus adapts to sounds endowed with different characteristics (strength, height).

Pathologies and diseases, injuries

Among the popular diseases of the middle ear, we note:

• (perforative, non-perforative, );
• catarrh of the middle ear.

Acute inflammation can appear with injuries:

• otitis, mastoiditis;
• otitis, mastoiditis;
• , mastoiditis, manifested by injuries of the temporal bone.

It can be complicated, uncomplicated. Among specific inflammations we indicate:

• syphilis;
• tuberculosis;
• exotic diseases.

Anatomy of the outer, middle, inner ear in our video:

Let us indicate the weighty importance of the vestibular analyzer. It is necessary to regulate the position of the body in space, as well as to regulate our movements.

Anatomy

The periphery of the vestibular analyzer is considered to be part of the inner ear. In its composition, we highlight:

• semicircular canals (these parts are located in 3 planes);
• statocyst organs (they are represented by sacs: oval, round).

The planes are called: horizontal, frontal, sagittal. The two sacs represent the vestibule. The round pouch is located near the curl. The oval sac is located closer to the semicircular canals.

Functions

Initially, the analyzer is excited. Then, thanks to the vestibulo-spinal nerve connections, somatic reactions occur. Such reactions are needed to redistribute muscle tone, maintain body balance in space.

The connection between the vestibular nuclei, the cerebellum determines the mobile reactions, as well as all the reactions for the coordination of movements that appear during the performance of sports, labor exercises. To maintain balance, vision and musculo-articular innervation are very important.

Pathologies, diseases, injuries

Violations that may be present in the work of the vestibular apparatus are manifested in.

And morphologists call this structure organelle and balance (organum vestibulo-cochleare). It has three departments:

• outer ear (external auditory canal, auricle with muscles and ligaments);
• middle ear (tympanic cavity, mastoid appendages, auditory tube)
• (membranous labyrinth, located in the bony labyrinth inside the bone pyramid).

1. The outer ear concentrates sound vibrations and directs them to the external auditory opening.

2. In the auditory canal conducts sound vibrations to the eardrum

3. The eardrum is a membrane that vibrates when exposed to sound.

4. The hammer with its handle is attached to the center of the tympanic membrane with the help of ligaments, and its head is connected to the anvil (5), which, in turn, is attached to the stirrup (6).

Tiny muscles help transmit sound by regulating the movement of these bones.

7. The Eustachian (or auditory) tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. When the ambient air pressure changes, the pressure on both sides of the eardrum equalizes through the auditory tube.

The organ of Corti consists of a number of sensitive, hairy cells (12) that cover the basilar membrane (13). Sound waves are picked up by hair cells and converted into electrical impulses. These electrical impulses are then transmitted through auditory nerve(11) in the head. The auditory nerve is made up of thousands of tiny nerve fibers. Each fiber starts from a specific section of the cochlea and transmits a specific sound frequency. Low-frequency sounds are transmitted along the fibers emanating from the top of the cochlea (14), and high-frequency sounds are transmitted along the fibers associated with its base. Thus, the function of the inner ear is to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical ones, since the brain can only perceive electrical signals.

outer ear is a sound absorber. The external auditory canal conducts sound vibrations to the eardrum. The tympanic membrane, which separates the outer ear from the tympanic cavity, or middle ear, is a thin (0.1 mm) septum shaped like an inward funnel. The membrane vibrates under the action of sound vibrations that come to it through the external auditory canal.

Sound vibrations are picked up by the auricles (in animals they can turn towards the sound source) and transmitted through the external auditory canal to the tympanic membrane, which separates the outer ear from the middle ear. Picking up the sound and the whole process of listening with two ears - the so-called binaural hearing - is important for determining the direction of the sound. Sound vibrations coming from the side reach the nearest ear a few ten-thousandths of a second (0.0006 s) earlier than the other. This negligible difference in the time the sound arrives at both ears is enough to determine its direction.

Middle ear is a sound-conducting device. It is an air cavity, which through the auditory (Eustachian) tube is connected to the nasopharyngeal cavity. Vibrations from the tympanic membrane through the middle ear are transmitted by 3 auditory ossicles connected to each other - the hammer, anvil and stirrup, and the latter through the membrane of the oval window transmits these vibrations of the fluid in the inner ear - the perilymph.

Due to the peculiarities of the geometry of the auditory ossicles, vibrations of the tympanic membrane of reduced amplitude, but increased strength, are transmitted to the stirrup. In addition, the surface of the stirrup is 22 times smaller than the tympanic membrane, which increases its pressure on the membrane of the oval window by the same amount. As a result, even weak sound waves acting on the tympanic membrane are able to overcome the resistance of the membrane of the oval window of the vestibule and lead to fluctuations in the fluid in the cochlea.

With strong sounds, special muscles reduce the mobility of the eardrum and auditory ossicles, adapting the hearing aid to such changes in the stimulus and protecting the inner ear from destruction.

Due to the connection through the auditory tube of the air cavity of the middle ear with the cavity of the nasopharynx, it becomes possible to equalize the pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane, which prevents its rupture during significant pressure changes during external environment- when diving under water, climbing to a height, shooting, etc. This is the barofunction of the ear.

There are two muscles in the middle ear: the tensor tympanic membrane and the stirrup. The first of them, contracting, increases the tension of the tympanic membrane and thereby limits the amplitude of its oscillations during strong sounds, and the second fixes the stirrup and thereby limits its movement. The reflex contraction of these muscles occurs 10 ms after the onset of a strong sound and depends on its amplitude. In this way, the inner ear is automatically protected from overload. With instant strong irritations(shocks, explosions, etc.) this defense mechanism does not have time to work, which can lead to hearing impairment (for example, for explosives and gunners).

inner ear is a sound-receiving apparatus. It is located in the pyramid of the temporal bone and contains the cochlea, which in humans forms 2.5 spiral coils. The cochlear canal is divided by two partitions by the main membrane and the vestibular membrane into 3 narrow passages: the upper one (scala vestibularis), the middle one (the membranous canal) and the lower one (the scala tympani). At the top of the cochlea there is a hole connecting the upper and lower channels into a single one, going from the oval window to the top of the cochlea and further to the round window. Its cavity is filled with a liquid - perilymph, and the cavity of the middle membranous canal is filled with a liquid of a different composition - endolymph. In the middle channel there is a sound-perceiving apparatus - the organ of Corti, in which there are mechanoreceptors of sound vibrations - hair cells.

The main route of sound delivery to the ear is air. Approaching sound vibrates the eardrum, and then through the chain of auditory ossicles vibrations are transmitted to oval window. At the same time, air vibrations of the tympanic cavity arise, which are transmitted to the membrane of the round window.

Another way of delivering sounds to the cochlea is tissue or bone conduction . In this case, the sound directly acts on the surface of the skull, causing it to vibrate. Bone pathway for sound transmission becomes of great importance if a vibrating object (for example, the stem of a tuning fork) comes into contact with the skull, as well as in diseases of the middle ear system, when the transmission of sounds through the ossicular chain is disturbed. Except air way, conducting sound waves, there is a tissue, or bone, path.

Under the influence of air sound vibrations, as well as when vibrators (for example, a bone telephone or a bone tuning fork) come into contact with the integument of the head, the bones of the skull begin to oscillate (the bone labyrinth also begins to oscillate). Based on the latest data (Bekesy - Bekesy and others), it can be assumed that sounds propagating through the bones of the skull only excite the organ of Corti if, like air waves, they cause a certain section of the main membrane to bulge.

The ability of the bones of the skull to conduct sound explains why a person himself, his voice recorded on a tape, when playing back the recording, seems alien, while others easily recognize him. The fact is that the tape recording does not reproduce your voice completely. Usually, when talking, you hear not only those sounds that your interlocutors hear (i.e., those sounds that are perceived due to air-liquid conduction), but also those low-frequency sounds, the conductor of which is the bones of your skull. However, when you listen to a tape recording of your own voice, you hear only what could be recorded - sounds that are carried by air.

binaural hearing . Man and animals have spatial hearing, that is, the ability to determine the position of a sound source in space. This property is based on the presence of binaural hearing, or hearing with two ears. For him, the presence of two symmetrical halves at all levels is also important. The acuity of binaural hearing in humans is very high: the position of the sound source is determined with an accuracy of 1 angular degree. The basis for this is the ability of neurons in the auditory system to evaluate interaural (interstitial) differences in the time of arrival of sound to the right and left ear and sound intensity in each ear. If the sound source is away from middle line head, sound wave comes on one ear a little earlier and has more force than on the other ear. Estimation of the distance of the sound source from the body is associated with the weakening of the sound and the change in its timbre.

With separate stimulation of the right and left ears through headphones, a delay between sounds as early as 11 μs or a difference in the intensity of two sounds by 1 dB leads to an apparent shift in the localization of the sound source from the midline towards an earlier or stronger sound. In the auditory centers there is with a sharp adjustment to a certain range of interaural differences in time and intensity. Cells have also been found that respond only to a certain direction of movement of the sound source in space.

Rumor is one of important organs feelings. It is with the help of it that we perceive the slightest changes in the world around us, hear alarm signals warning of danger. is very important for all living organisms, although there are those who do without it.

In humans, the auditory analyzer includes the external, middle, and from them, along the auditory nerve, information goes to the brain, where it is processed. In the article we will dwell in more detail on the structure, functions and diseases of the outer ear.

The structure of the outer ear

The human ear consists of several sections:

• External.
• Middle ear.
• Internal.

The outer ear includes:

Starting with the most primitive vertebrates, which developed hearing, the structure of the ear gradually became more complicated. This is due to the general increase in the organization of animals. For the first time, the outer ear appears in mammals. In nature, there are some species of birds with an auricle, for example, a long-eared owl.

Auricle

The outer ear of a person begins with the auricle. It consists almost entirely of cartilage tissue about 1 mm thick. It does not have cartilage in its structure, only it consists of adipose tissue and is covered with skin.

The outer ear is concave with a curl at the edge. It is separated by a small depression from the internal antihelix, from which the auricle cavity extends towards the ear canal. A tragus is located at the entrance to the ear canal.

ear canal

The next department, which has the outer ear, - ear canal. It is a tube 2.5 centimeters long and 0.9 cm in diameter. It is based on cartilage, resembling a gutter in shape, opening up. There are santorian fissures in the cartilaginous tissue, which border on the salivary gland.

Cartilage is present only in the initial section of the passage, then it passes into bone tissue. The ear canal itself is slightly curved in a horizontal direction, so when examining a doctor, the auricle is pulled back and up in adults, and back and down in children.

Inside the ear canal there are sebaceous and sulfuric glands, which produce its removal is facilitated by the process of chewing, during which the walls of the passage vibrate.

The ear canal ends with the tympanic membrane, which blindly closes it.

Eardrum

The tympanic membrane connects the outer and middle ear. It is a translucent plate with a thickness of only 0.1 mm, its area is about 60 mm 2.

The tympanic membrane is located slightly obliquely relative to the auditory canal and is drawn in the form of a funnel into the cavity. It has the greatest tension in the center. Behind her is already

Features of the structure of the outer ear in infants

When a baby is born, his hearing organ is not yet fully formed, and the structure of the outer ear has a number of distinctive features:

1. The auricle is soft.
2. The earlobe and curl are practically not expressed, they are formed only by 4 years.
3. There is no bony part in the ear canal.
4. The walls of the passage are located almost nearby.
5. The tympanic membrane is located horizontally.
6. The size of the tympanic membrane does not differ from that of adults, but it is much thicker and covered with a mucous membrane.

The child grows, and with it the additional development of the organ of hearing occurs. Gradually, he acquires all the features of an adult auditory analyzer.

Functions of the outer ear

Each department of the auditory analyzer performs its function. The outer ear is intended primarily for the following purposes:

Thus, the functions of the outer ear are quite diverse, and the auricle serves us not only for beauty.

Inflammatory process in the outer ear

Often colds end with an inflammatory process inside the ear. This problem is especially relevant in children, since the auditory tube is short in size, and the infection can quickly penetrate the ear from the nasal cavity or throat.

For everyone, inflammation in the ears can manifest itself in different ways, it all depends on the form of the disease. There are several types:

You can cope at home only with the first two varieties, but otitis media requires inpatient treatment.

If we consider otitis externa, it also comes in two forms:

• Limited.
• diffuse.

The first form occurs, as a rule, as a result of inflammation. hair follicle in the ear canal. In a way, this is a common boil, but only in the ear.

The diffuse form of the inflammatory process covers the entire passage.

Causes of otitis media

There are a lot of reasons that can provoke an inflammatory process in the outer ear, but among them the following are often found:

1. bacterial infection.
2. Fungal disease.
3. Allergic problems.
4. Improper hygiene of the ear canal.
5. Self attempt to remove ear plugs.
6. Entry of foreign bodies.
7. Viral nature, although this happens very rarely.

Cause of outer ear pain in healthy people

It is not at all necessary that if there is pain in the ear, a diagnosis of otitis media is made. Often such pain may also occur for other reasons:

1. Walking in windy weather without a hat can cause ear pain. The wind exerts pressure on the auricle and a bruise forms, the skin becomes cyanotic. This condition passes quickly enough after hitting the warm room, treatment is not required.
2. Swimmers also have a frequent companion. Because during exercise, water enters the ears and irritates the skin, it can lead to swelling or otitis externa.
3. Excessive accumulation of sulfur in the ear canal can cause not only a feeling of congestion, but also pain.
4. Insufficient excretion of sulfur by the sulfur glands, on the contrary, is accompanied by a feeling of dryness, which can also cause pain.

As a rule, if otitis media does not develop, all discomfort pass in the ear on their own and additional treatment do not require.

Symptoms of otitis externa

If the doctor diagnoses damage to the ear canal and auricle, the diagnosis is otitis externa. Its manifestations may be as follows:

• Pain can vary in intensity, from very subtle to disturbing sleep at night.
• This condition can last for several days, and then subside.
• In the ears there is a feeling of congestion, itching, noise.
• During the inflammatory process, hearing acuity may decrease.
• Since otitis media is an inflammatory disease, body temperature may rise.
• The skin near the ear may acquire a reddish tint.
• When pressing on the ear, the pain intensifies.

Inflammation of the external ear should be treated by an ENT doctor. After examining the patient and determining the stage and severity of the disease, medications.

Therapy of limited otitis media

This form of the disease is usually treated surgically. After the introduction of an anesthetic drug, the boil is opened and the pus is removed. After this procedure, the patient's condition improves significantly.

For some time, you will have to take antibacterial medicines in the form of drops or ointments, for example:

• Normax.
• "Candibiotic".
• "Levomekol".
• "Celestoderm-V".

Usually, after a course of antibiotics, everything returns to normal, and the patient recovers completely.

Therapy for diffuse otitis media

Treatment of this form of the disease is carried out only conservatively. All medications are prescribed by a doctor. Usually the course includes a set of measures:

1. Taking antibacterial drops, for example, Ofloxacin, Neomycin.
2. Anti-inflammatory drops "Otipaks" or "Otirelax".
3. Antihistamines ("Citrin", "Claritin") help relieve swelling.
4. For removal pain syndrome NPS are prescribed, for example, Diclofenac, Nurofen.
5. To increase immunity, the intake of vitamin-mineral complexes is indicated.

During treatment, it must be remembered that any warming procedures are contraindicated, they can only be prescribed by a doctor at the stage of recovery. If all the doctor's recommendations are followed and the full course of therapy is completed, then you can be sure that the outer ear will be healthy.

Treatment of otitis media in children

In babies, the physiology is such that the inflammatory process very quickly spreads from the nasal cavity to the ear. If you notice in time that the child is worried about the ear, then the treatment will be short and uncomplicated.

The doctor usually does not prescribe antibiotics. All therapy consists in taking antipyretic drugs and painkillers. Parents can be advised not to self-medicate, but to adhere to the doctor's recommendations.

Drops that are bought on the recommendation of friends can only harm your child. When a baby is sick, the appetite usually decreases. You can’t force him to eat by force, it’s better to give him more to drink so that toxins are eliminated from the body.

If the child is too often over ear infections, there is reason to talk to the pediatrician about vaccination. In many countries, such a vaccine is already being given, it will protect the outer ear from inflammatory processes that are caused by bacteria.

Prevention of inflammatory diseases of the outer ear

Any inflammation of the external ear can be prevented. To do this, you need to follow only a few simple recommendations:

If the pain in the ear does not cause much concern, this does not mean that you should not see a doctor. Running inflammation can turn into much more serious problems. Timely treatment will quickly cope with otitis externa and relieve suffering.