Ear anatomy drawing. The best diagram of the structural features of the external, external human ear with photos and descriptions. Features of the structure of the outer ear in infants

The human hearing aid is a complex system that has three main elements: external, middle and internal. It is the middle ear that plays the main function and thanks to it a person can hear sounds. All diseases that occur in it pose a direct threat to human life and health.

The middle ear is located deep in the temporal bone. It consists of several organs, each of which is presented as a system:

Tympanic cavity. It contains devices that allow a person to hear music, voices and other sounds.
Eustachian tube. A stream of air passes through it, which causes the eardrums to vibrate.
Mastoid. Separates the posterior cranial fossa and antrum.

The middle ear is made up of several cavities, in the center of which is the tympanum. In appearance it resembles a tambourine or a prism. It is separated from the skull by a wall.The cavity contains auditory ossicles, which perform the function of transmitting sound vibrations. The stirrup, incus and malleus are distinguished. The mechanism of their interaction resembles a system of levers.

One of the important elements of the middle ear is also the auditory tube, which connects the tympanic cavity with the external environment.

In newborns it is much shorter and wider, which poses a great danger. Against the background of this feature, infants are most susceptible to developing middle ear diseases.

The mastoid process is located behind the temporal bone. Inside it there are cavities that are connected to each other by narrow cracks. This increases the acoustic properties several times.

The muscles in the middle ear are also located. Their main task is to strain the eardrum and stirrup. They also help keep the bones in weight and regulate them. Thanks to them, a person can hear loud and quiet sounds.The middle ear plays a big role not only in transmission, but also in signal amplification. Without it, a person would not have the ability to hear.

Classification of diseases

There are many different diseases that affect the middle ear. In medicine, it is customary to divide them into three large categories:

Congenital. They are associated with the physiological and anatomical structure. They are often hereditary in nature, but may be a consequence of fetal developmental disorders. This type includes hearing loss and microtia.
Traumatic. The cause of development is injuries resulting from an accident, traffic accident, blows to the temple area, and work-related injuries. A rupture of the eardrum can occur after a strong sharp noise, when the muscles do not have time to react correctly. Injuries are often the cause of improper ear cleaning.
Infectious. Accompanied by an inflammatory process. Its development is caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It penetrates from the external auditory canal, as well as along with blood.

Every disease is dangerous to the life and health of the patient. This is due to the fact that the middle ear is located in close proximity to the brain. This can cause inflammation of the membranes and cause serious problems with its functioning.

Depending on the nature of the disease, the following are distinguished:

Spicy. Symptoms increase rapidly and are always pronounced. The lack of therapy at this stage leads to the transformation of the disease into a chronic form, which is difficult to treat.
Chronic. They are characterized by the presence of alternating periods of remission and exacerbation. They have the ability to last for a long time without symptoms.

Only the attending physician can correctly diagnose the type and nature of the course of middle ear disease based on the diagnostic results.

Main diseases and their symptoms

Ear diseases are one of the most unpleasant pathologies, regardless of the reasons for which they arise. They pose a threat to the patient’s health and, if not treated in a timely manner, cause more than just hearing loss.

Inflammatory diseases are often diagnosed, the causes of which are bacteria and infections:

. The symptoms are always pronounced. Patients complain of painful shooting sensations, decreased quality of hearing and the presence of purulent discharge from the ear canal. Without treatment, the disease progresses to a chronic stage, which is difficult to cure.
Mesotympanitis. The cause is inflammation of the lining of the eardrum. The main signs are hearing loss and purulent discharge. Often confused with purulent otitis media.
Epitympanitis. It is characterized by ingrowth of the tissues of the external auditory canal into the cavity of the eardrum. The danger of the pathology is that there is a risk of damage to the bone structure. The main symptom is a decrease in the quality of hearing.
Cicatricial otitis. It occurs against the background of limited mobility of the auditory ossicles. As a result, dense connective tissue begins to form. Patients complain of hearing loss.

Middle ear diseases, regardless of the cause of their occurrence, have one distinctive feature. Getting to the source of infection or inflammatory process is quite difficult, since it is located deep. Environmental conditions in the ear are favorable for the growth of bacteria, and they quickly attack healthy areas. Therefore, when the first symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor. The use of traditional methods of treatment is strictly prohibited.

Treatment methods

In cases where the cause of pain and other unpleasant symptoms is an infection, therapy aimed at destroying the pathogenic flora is required.

For this purpose, antibiotics are prescribed in the form of tablets or ointments. Symptomatic therapy consists of prescribing:

Painkillers. NSAID drugs are used. They not only relieve pain, but also eliminate inflammation. The most effective is “”.
Antiviral. Help reduce the activity of the virus. “Arbidol”, “Kagocel”, “” are prescribed.
Anti-inflammatory. Helps relieve the inflammatory process. The use of Diclofenac or Ketoprofen is indicated.
Antihistamines. Necessary to relieve intoxication, which develops against the background of the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. Relieve nausea. Suprastin and Erius will help eliminate weakness, apathy and headaches.

If there is an accumulation of purulent masses in the middle ear cavity, a procedure is prescribed to force it out. It is called paracentesis and is performed by cutting the eardrum. The patient's condition improves significantly after the purulent masses come out. After the procedure, the ear cavity is treated with an antiseptic solution.

You can learn more about the structure and function of the ear from the video:

Advanced middle ear diseases can cause hearing loss

The middle ear is located in close proximity to the brain. The inflammatory process that develops in the cavities can spread to the meninges.

The consequences of untimely treatment or its absence are:

Sepsis.
Inflammation of the facial nerve.
Rupture of the eardrum.
Complete or partial hearing loss.

Against the background of brain inflammation, a decrease in the quality of vision, mental activity and the ability to perceive information in various volumes may occur.

The middle ear is a complex mechanism consisting of many elements. EIts function is to convert air currents into sound. It is thanks to him that a person is able to hear sharp, strong, quiet, dull and voiced sounds. A slight disruption in the operation of the mechanism affects the quality of hearing. It may be completely or partially lost. In certain cases it cannot be restored.

There are a large number of diseases that affect the ear. The cause is infections and viruses. Pain can also occur due to injury. If symptoms appear, you should consult a specialist to determine the exact cause of the unpleasant symptoms. Self-medication and lack of therapy in this case can lead to dire consequences.

The ear is a complex vestibular-auditory organ that has the ability to perceive sound impulses. This organ is also responsible for the balance of the body, the ability to hold it in a certain position. The organ is a pair, located on the temporal parts of the skull. Externally, it is limited only to the ears, which is determined by the process of evolution.

The organ of hearing itself appeared in the ancient ancestors of vertebrates from certain, special skin folds that served as sensory organs. They are called lateral organs. The modern human ear can perceive sound vibrations from 20 m to 1.6 cm, namely 16 - 20,000 Hz.

The structure of the human ear is heterogeneous. The hearing organ consists of the outer, middle and inner ear, that is, only three parts. The process of capturing sounds begins with air vibrations. They are picked up by the outer ear. It consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal.

Structure of the outer ear

The auricle picks up the sound itself and its direction. It continues with the cartilage of the external auditory canal, which is approximately 2.5 cm in length. The cartilaginous part of the passage gradually turns into bone. All the skin that lines the passage is penetrated by sebaceous and sulfur glands. They are modified sweat glands.

The channel inside ends with an elastic eardrum. It is necessary, among other things, to separate the outer ear from the middle ear. Sound waves captured by the auricle hit the membrane, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted further to the middle ear.

Structure of the middle ear

The middle ear is a cavity approximately 1 cubic centimeter. It contains small auditory bones, namely: malleus (hammer), incus (incus) and stapes (stapes). Auditory waves, reflected from the eardrum, travel to the malleus, then the incus and stapes. After this, they enter the inner ear.

In its cavity there is the Eustachian, or auditory, tube, which connects to the nasopharynx. Air penetrates from it into the tympanic cavity, as a result of which the pressure on the eardrum from the tympanic cavity is equalized. If the pressure is not equalized and it is unusual on both sides of the membrane, it may simply rupture.

Inside the tympanic cavity, which separates the middle ear from the inner ear, there are two openings, the so-called windows (round and oval), which are covered with a skin membrane.

The main purpose of the middle ear is to conduct sound vibrations from the eardrum, bypassing the auditory ossicles directly to the oval opening leading to the inner ear.

Structure of the inner ear

The inner ear is located in the area of the temporal bone. It consists of two labyrinths - the temporal and the bone. Moreover, the temporal one is located inside the bone one, and between them there is a small space that is filled with fluid (endolymph). The labyrinth contains the organ of hearing, the cochlea. The organ of balance is also located there - the vestibular apparatus.

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped bone canal, which in humans is 2.5 turns. It is divided into two parts by a main membrane - the membranous septum. It, in turn, is also divided into two parts - the upper and lower staircases, which connect at the top of the cochlea.

On the main membrane there is a sound-receiving apparatus called the organ of Corti. The membrane consists of 24 thousand fibers of different lengths, which are stretched like strings, each of which reacts to its own specific sound. The organ of Corti itself consists of cells, among which there are especially sensitive auditory cells with hairs (hair cells). They are the receptors for sound vibrations.

Drawing a conclusion from the above, it should be noted that according to its functional purpose, the ear is divided into two main parts: the sound-conducting apparatus, namely the outer and middle ear, and the sound-receiving apparatus, the inner ear.

How does sound perception occur?

Sound vibrations that are picked up by the auricle pass further into the ear canal and then hit the eardrum, which picks them up and produces vibrations. They pass through the auditory ossicles onto the second membrane of the oval foramen (window), which leads into the cavity of the inner ear. The vibrations of this membrane affect the spiral cochlea. All vibrations in this closed space occur due to the membrane of the round opening (window).

Bypassing the perilymph, sound waves enter the endolymph, which, in turn, causes disturbances in the fibers of the main membrane. They stimulate the hair cells located in the organ of Corti. And these cells transform sound waves, creating a process of nervous excitation. It is projected along the auditory nerve into the temporal zone of the cerebral cortex, where it is processed there as information about what sound a person is currently hearing.

Studying the complexity of the various mechanical and electromechanical processes occurring in this organ, it becomes clear that for good, high-quality hearing, all its parts are necessary. And for the ear to perform its functions correctly and efficiently, each of its components must be in perfect order. This is also extremely important for the functioning of the entire human vestibular apparatus.

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The ear is a pair of hearing organs, a complex vestibular-auditory organ. The ear performs two main and undoubtedly important functions:

capturing sound impulses;
the ability to maintain balance, maintain the body in a certain position.

This organ is located in the area of the temporal bones of the skull, forming the external ears. The human ear perceives sound waves, the length of which varies between 20 m - 1.6 cm.

The structure of the ear is heterogeneous. It consists of three departments:

outer;
average;
interior.

Each department has its own structure. Connected together, the sections form an elongated, peculiar tube that goes deep into the head. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the structure of the human ear using a diagram with a description.

Outer ear

Let's look at the structure of the outer ear. This area begins with the auricle and continues with the external auditory canal. The auricle has the appearance of complex elastic cartilage covered with skin. The lower part is called the lobe - it is a fold consisting of fatty tissue (to a greater extent) and skin. The auricle is most sensitive to various injuries, so in wrestlers it is almost always deformed.

The auricle acts as a receiver for sound waves, which then travel to the inner region of the hearing aid. In humans, it performs much fewer functions than in animals, so it is in a stationary state. Animals can move their ears in different directions, so they can accurately determine the source of the sound.

The folds that make up the pinna move sounds into the ear canal with little distortion. Distortion, in turn, depends on the vertical or horizontal location of the waves. All this allows the brain to receive more accurate information about the location of the sound source.

The main function of the auricle is to detect sound signals. Its continuation is the cartilage of the external meatus, 25-30 mm in length. Gradually, the cartilage region turns into bone. Its outer area is lined with skin and contains sebaceous, sulfur (modified sweat) glands.

The outer ear is separated from the middle ear by the eardrum. The sounds that the auricle picks up when hitting the eardrum cause certain vibrations. The vibrations of the eardrum are sent to the cavity of the middle ear.

Interesting to know. To avoid rupture of the eardrum, soldiers were advised to open their mouths as wide as possible in anticipation of a loud explosion.

Now let's see how the middle ear works. The tympanic cavity is the main part of the middle ear. It is a space with a volume of approximately 1 cubic centimeter located in the area of the temporal bone.

There are three small auditory ossicles located here:

hammer:
anvil;
stapes.

Their function is to transmit sound vibrations from the outer ear to the inner ear. During transmission, the bones increase vibrations. These bones are the smallest bone fragments of the human skeleton. They represent a certain chain through which vibrations are transmitted.

In the middle ear cavity there is the Eustachian or auditory tube, which connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx. Due to the Eustachian tube, the air pressure passing inside and outside the eardrum is equalized. If this does not happen, the eardrum may rupture.

When the external pressure changes, the ears become blocked (the symptom can be relieved by making successive swallowing movements). The main function of the middle ear is to conduct sound vibrations from the eardrum to the oval hole, which leads to the area of the inner ear.

The inner ear is the most complex of all the sections due to its shape.

The “labyrinth” (the structure of the inner ear) consists of two parts:

temporal;
bone.

The temporal labyrinth is located intraosseous. Between them there is a small space filled with endolymph (a special liquid). The auditory organ known as the cochlea is located in this area. The organ of balance (vestibular apparatus) is also located here. The following is a diagram of the human inner ear with a description.

The cochlea is a bony spiral-shaped canal divided into two parts by a septum. The membranous septum, in turn, is divided into the upper and lower scalae, which connect at the top of the cochlea. The main membrane contains the sound-receiving apparatus, the organ of Corti. This membrane consists of many fibers, each of which responds to a specific sound.

We have figured out the structure of the auricle and all parts of the inner ear, let’s now look at the structure of the ear and vestibular apparatus.

Important. The balance organ, the vestibular apparatus, is part of the inner ear.

The vestibular apparatus is the peripheral center of the balance organ of the vestibular analyzer. It is an integral part of the inner ear and is located in the temporal cranial bone, or more precisely, in the pyramid, the rockiest part of the skull. The inner ear, called the labyrinth, consists of the cochlea, the vestibular region and the vestibule.

In the human auditory system, there are three semicircular canals in the form of semirings, the ends of which are open and, as it were, soldered into the bone of the vestibule. Since the canals are located in three different planes, they are called frontal, sagittal, horizontal. The middle and inner ears are connected by the round and oval windows (these windows are closed).

The oval is located in the bone of the vestibule, covering it with the stirrup (auditory ossicle). You can tell whether the window is completely closed or not by looking at the base of the stirrup. The second window is located in the capsule of the first cochlear curl; it is closed by a dense but rather elastic membrane.

Inside the bony labyrinth there is a membranous labyrinth, the space between their walls is filled with a special liquid - perilymph. The membranous labyrinth is closed and filled with endolymph. It consists of three sections - the vestibule sacs, the semicircular canals, and the cochlear duct. There are reliable barriers inside the system that prevent the mixing of physiological fluids.

With some diseases of the ear and brain, barriers can be destroyed, fluids mix, and hearing function suffers. An infection can spread through the tubules, which leads to the development of brain abscesses, meningitis, and arachnoiditis.

Another possible problem of the vestibular apparatus is an imbalance between the pressures in the perilymphatic and endalymphatic spaces. It is the balance of pressure that is responsible for the healthy tone of the labyrinth and the normal functioning of the receptors. If the pressure changes, vestibular and auditory disorders develop.

Considering the structure of the ear and vestibular apparatus, one cannot fail to mention receptor cells - they are located in the membranous zone of the semicircular canals of the vestibule region and are responsible for balance. Each channel at one end of the semiring has an extension in which receptors are located (ampulla).

Clusters of receptors are called cupules (flaps). They are similar to the border between the utrculus and the semicircular canals. If the hairs emerging from the nerve cells are displaced, the body receives a signal about the need to move the body or head in space.

The vestibule sacs contain clusters of other nerve cells - they form the otolithic apparatus. The hairs of cellular structures are located in otoliths - crystals washed by endolymphatic fluid. The otoliths of the sacculus part are located in the frontal planes, the ratio of their placement in the left and right labyrinths is 45 degrees.

The otoliths of the utriculus element are located in the sagittal plane, they are located horizontally among themselves. The fibers of nerve cells that extend to the sides are collected into nerve bundles and subsequently exit with the facial nerve through the auditory canal into the brain stem (that is, they enter the cranial cavity). Here they already form integral clusters - nuclei.

There is a powerful cross-type connection between the nuclei; the nerve pathways that come from the receptors are called afferent; they transmit a signal from the periphery to the central part of the system. There are also efferent connections that are responsible for transmitting impulses from the central parts of the brain to the vestibular receptors.

One of the complex organs of the human structure that performs the function of perceiving sounds and noise is the ear. In addition to its sound-conducting purpose, it is responsible for the ability to control the stability and location of the body in space.

The ear is located in the temporal region of the head. Externally it looks like an auricle. have serious consequences and pose a threat to general health.

The structure of the ear has several compartments:

external;
average;
internal.

Human ear– an exceptional and intricately designed organ. However, the method of functioning and performance of this organ is simple.

Ear function is to distinguish and enhance signals, intonations, tones and noise.

There is a whole science dedicated to the study of the anatomy of the ear and its many indicators.

It is impossible to visualize the entire functioning of the ear, since the auditory canal is located in the inner part of the head.

For efficient execution The main function of the human middle ear is the ability to hear - The following components are responsible:

Outer ear. It looks like the auricle and ear canal. Separated from the middle ear by the eardrum;
The cavity behind the eardrum is called middle ear. It includes the ear cavity, the auditory ossicles and the Eustachian tube;
The last of the three types of department is inner ear. It is considered one of the most complex parts of the hearing organ. Responsible for human balance. Because of the peculiar shape of the structure it is called “ labyrinth».

The anatomy of the ear includes: structural elements, How:

Curl;
Anti-curl– a paired organ of the tragus, located on top of the earlobe;
Tragus, which is a bulge on the outer ear, is located on the front of the ear;
Antitragus in the image and likeness it performs the same functions as the tragus. But first of all it processes sounds coming from the front;
Earlobe.

Thanks to this structure of the ear, the influence of external circumstances is minimized.

Structure of the middle ear

The middle ear is represented as a tympanic cavity, located in the temporal region of the skull.

In the depths of the temporal bone are located the following elements of the middle ear:

Tympanic cavity. It is located between the temporal bone and the external auditory canal and inner ear. Consists of the small bones listed below.
Eustachian tube. This organ connects the nose and pharynx with the tympanic region.
Mastoid. This is part of the temporal bone. Located behind the external auditory canal. Connects the scales and the tympanic part of the temporal bone.

IN structure tympanic area of the ear included:

Hammer. It is adjacent to the eardrum and sends sound waves to the incus and stapes.
Anvil. Located between the stirrup and the malleus. The function of this organ is to represent sounds and vibrations from the malleus to the stapes.
Stapes. The incus and inner ear are connected by the stapes. Interestingly, this organ is considered the smallest and lightest bone in humans. Her size amounts to 4 mm, and weight – 2.5 mg.

The listed anatomical elements bear the following function auditory ossicles – transformation of noise and transmission from the external canal to the inner ear.

Malfunction of one of the structures leads to destruction of the function of the entire organ of hearing.

The middle ear is connected to the nasopharynx by Eustachian tube.

Function Eustachian tube - regulation of pressure that does not come from air.

A sharp ear plug signals a rapid decrease or increase in air pressure.

Long and painful pain in the temples indicates that a person’s ears are currently actively fighting the emerging infection and protecting the brain from impaired performance.

In number interesting facts pressure also includes reflex yawning. This indicates that there has been a change in the ambient pressure, which causes the person to react in the form of a yawn.

The human middle ear has a mucous membrane.

Structure and function of the ear

It is known that the middle ear contains some of the main components of the ear, the violation of which will lead to hearing loss. Since there are important details in the structure, without which the conduction of sounds is impossible.

Auditory ossicles– the malleus, incus and stapes ensure the passage of sounds and noises further along the structure of the ear. In their tasks includes:

Allow the eardrum to function smoothly;
Do not allow sharp and strong sounds to pass into the inner ear;
Adapt the hearing aid to different sounds, their strength and height.

Based on the listed tasks, it becomes clear that Without the middle ear, the function of the hearing organ is unrealistic.

Remember that sharp and unexpected sounds can provoke reflex muscle contraction and harm the structure and functioning of hearing.

Measures to protect against ear diseases

In order to protect yourself from ear diseases, it is important to monitor your health and listen to your body’s symptoms. Recognize infectious diseases such as others promptly.

The main source of all diseases in the ear and other human organs is weakened immunity. To reduce the possibility of illness, take vitamins.

In addition, you should isolate yourself from drafts and hypothermia. Wear a hat in cold seasons, and do not forget to put a cap on your child, regardless of the temperature outside.

Do not forget to undergo an annual examination of all organs, including an ENT specialist. Regular visits to the doctor will help prevent inflammation and infectious diseases.

The ear is a sensory organ responsible for hearing; thanks to the ears, a person has the ability to hear sounds. This organ is thought out by nature down to the smallest detail; By studying the structure of the ear, a person understands how complex a living organism really is, how it contains so many interdependent mechanisms that ensure vital processes.

The human ear is a paired organ; both ears are located symmetrically in the temporal lobes of the head.

Main parts of the hearing organ

How does the human ear work? Doctors identify the main departments.

Outer ear - it is represented by the concha of the ear, leading to the auditory tube, at the end of which there is a sensitive membrane (tympanic membrane).

The middle ear - includes an internal cavity, inside there is an ingenious connection of small bones. This section can also include the Eustachian tube.

And part of the human inner ear, which is a complex complex of formations in the form of a labyrinth.

The ears are supplied with blood by branches of the carotid artery, and innervated by the trigeminal and vagus nerves.

The structure of the ear begins with the outer, visible part of the ear, and going deeper inside, it ends deep inside the skull.

The auricle is an elastic concave cartilaginous formation, covered on top with a layer of perichondrium and skin. This is the outer, visible part of the ear, protruding from the head. The part of the auricle below is soft, this is the earlobe.

Inside it, under the skin, there is not cartilage, but fat. The structure of the human auricle is immobile; Human ears do not respond to sound with movement, as do dogs, for example.

At the top the shell is framed with a curl; from the inside it passes into the antihelix; they are separated by a long depression. From the outside, the passage to the ear is slightly covered by a cartilaginous protrusion - the tragus.

The auricle, having the shape of a funnel, ensures smooth movement of sound vibrations into the internal structures of the human ear.

Middle ear

What is located in the middle part of the ear? There are several functional sectors:

doctors determine the tympanic cavity;
mastoid protrusion;
eustachian tube.

The tympanic cavity is delimited from the auditory canal by the tympanic membrane. The cavity contains air that enters through the Eustachian meatus. A special feature of the human middle ear is a chain of tiny bones in the cavity, inextricably linked to each other.

The structure of the human ear is considered complex because of its most hidden internal section, closest to the brain. There are very sensitive, unique formations here: semicircular tubules in the form of tubes, as well as a cochlea, which looks like a miniature shell.

The semicircular tubes are responsible for the functioning of the human vestibular apparatus, which regulates the balance and coordination of the human body, as well as the possibility of its acceleration in space. The function of the cochlea is to convert the sound stream into an impulse transmitted to the analyzing part of the brain.

Another curious feature of the structure of the ear is the vestibule sacs, anterior and posterior. One of them interacts with the cochlea, the second with the semicircular tubules. The sacs contain otolithic apparatuses consisting of crystals of phosphate and also carbon dioxide of lime.

Vestibular apparatus

The anatomy of the human ear includes not only the structure of the body's hearing apparatus, but also the organization of body coordination.

The principle of operation of the semicircular canals is to move fluid inside them, pressing on the microscopic hairs-cilia that line the walls of the tubes. The position taken by the person determines which hairs the liquid will press on. And also a description of what kind of signal the brain will ultimately receive.

Age-related hearing loss

Over the years, hearing acuity decreases. This is due to the fact that some of the hairs inside the cochlea gradually disappear, without the possibility of restoration.

Sound processing processes in the organ

The process of perception of sounds by the ear and our brain occurs along the chain:

First, the auricle picks up sound vibrations from the surrounding space.
The sound vibration travels along the auditory canal, reaching the tympanic membrane.
It begins to vibrate, transmitting a signal to the middle ear.
The middle ear receives the signal and transmits it to the auditory ossicles.

The structure of the middle ear is ingenious in its simplicity, but the thoughtfulness of the parts of the system makes scientists admire: the bones, malleus, incus, stirrup are closely interconnected.

The structure of the internal bone components does not provide for the disunity of their work. The malleus, on the one hand, communicates with the tympanic membrane, on the other hand, it is adjacent to the incus, which, in turn, connects to the stapes, which opens and closes the oval window.

Organic layout providing a precise, smooth, continuous rhythm. The auditory ossicles convert sounds, noise, into signals discernible by our brain and are responsible for hearing acuity.

It is noteworthy that the human middle ear is connected to the nasopharyngeal region via the Eustachian canal.

Features of the organ

- the most complex part of the hearing aid, located inside the temporal bone. Between the middle and inner sections there are two windows of different shapes: an oval window and a round one.

Externally, the structure of the inner ear looks like a kind of labyrinth, starting with the vestibule leading to the cochlea and semicircular canals. The internal cavities of the cochlea and canals contain fluids: endolymph and perilymph.

Sound vibrations, passing through the outer and middle sections of the ear, through the oval window, enter the inner ear, where, making oscillatory movements, they cause both the cochlear and tubular lymphatic substances to vibrate. Vibrating, they irritate the cochlear receptor inclusions, which form neuroimpulses transmitted to the brain.

Ear care

The auricle is susceptible to external contamination; it must be washed with water, rinsing the folds; dirt often accumulates in them. In the ears, or more precisely, in their passages, from time to time a special yellowish discharge appears, this is sulfur.

The role of sulfur in the human body is to protect the ear from midges, dust, and bacteria getting into it. By clogging the auditory canal, sulfur often impairs the quality of hearing. The ear has the ability to self-cleanse wax: chewing movements help to remove dried wax particles and remove them from the organ.

But sometimes this process is disrupted and the accumulations in the ear that were not removed in time harden, forming a plug. To remove the plug, as well as for diseases that occur in the outer, middle and inner ear, you need to consult an otolaryngologist.

Injuries to the human auricle can occur due to external mechanical influences:

falls;
cuts;
punctures;
suppuration of the soft tissues of the ear.

Injuries are caused by the structure of the ear, the protrusion of its outer part outward. With injuries, it is also better to seek medical help from an ENT specialist or a traumatologist; he will explain the structure of the external ear, its functions and the dangers that await a person in everyday life.