The External Ear
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The Pinna is a significant part of the external ear, it is made out of mostly cartilage and skin and there are muscular attachments at the back of it. Essentially, the Pinna receives and tunnels the sound waves down into the ear canal. Because the Pinna has a lot of twists and folds, it enhances high frequency sounds. Sound waves coming from the side and front are also somewhat amplified because the sound is directed into the ear canal. On the other hand, sounds coming from the behind are reduced instead. Sounds can be amplified by cupping the behind of the Pinna as it creates a bigger surface area for the Pinna. The second part of the outer ear is called the external auditory meatus (ear canal) which can be described as a small tube that is connected to the tympanic membrane. The walls are very sensitive and has a natural resonance that boosts sound pitches by 10-15 decibels.
The Middle Ear
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This section of the ear is filled with a lots of air spaces and also include the ear drum, cavity (tympanic cavity) and the ossicles. The ossicles are three small bones attached to each other. The three bones are caused the malleus (a long handle fitted to the eardrum), the incurs (bridge bone in between the stapes and malleus) and the stapes (the footplate).
The Inner ear
This part of the ear essentially has two parts to it. One is called the Vestibular (for balance) and the other is called the Cochlea (for hearing.)
The function of the Vestibular is to help sense any acceleration or deceleration in motion and it also serves to sense the head position in relation to gravity. The vestibular is also a part of the reflex arc which helps us keep a clear focus with the small and quick motions of the head.
The second part of the inner ear (the Cochlea) is a coiled tube-like shape which houses three membranous canals filled with fluid. The Cochlea transforms the sound vibrations of its liquids into a neural signal which all happens at the Organ of Corti.
The function of the Vestibular is to help sense any acceleration or deceleration in motion and it also serves to sense the head position in relation to gravity. The vestibular is also a part of the reflex arc which helps us keep a clear focus with the small and quick motions of the head.
The second part of the inner ear (the Cochlea) is a coiled tube-like shape which houses three membranous canals filled with fluid. The Cochlea transforms the sound vibrations of its liquids into a neural signal which all happens at the Organ of Corti.