How the ear works

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity In the head that contains the following parts: The is a channel that connects the throat to the middle ear. It is needed to equalize the air pressure in the middle ear so that it is the same as the outside air pressure. Ear infections often can occur when throat infections occur as the bacteria move through these channels to the ear. These are the smallest bones in the body. There are three bones – malleus (hammer) – incus (anvil) – stapes (stirrup). Their function is to amplify vibrations from the tympanic membrane 22 times (this accounts for a 3 decibel Increase). This is the small membrane that transmits sound vibrations into the inner ear. It Is the The inner ear resides in the hardest bone in the body. It is fluid-filled and is composed of the following parts: There are more than 30 000 nerve pathways or circuits that lead from the Organ of Corti to form Into a large cranial _ that leads directly to the brain The are fluid-filled chambers responsible for detection of motion and balance The – is a membrane that is responsible for equalization of fluid pressure in the Inner ear and dampers the bouncing waves of fluid within the inner ear. is a sensitive membrane that has microscopic hairs that detect sound vibrations and convert them into nerve impulses. Hairs at the base near the oval window detect high pitches (20 000 Hz).