Ear

The ears are the organs responsible for hearing and balance. They consist of three main parts:

1. Outer Ear (External Ear):

• Pinna (Auricle): The visible part of the ear that collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal.
• Ear Canal (External Auditory Meatus): A tube that leads sound waves toward the eardrum.
• Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane): A thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it.

2. Middle Ear:

• Contains three small bones (ossicles) that amplify sound vibrations from the eardrum:
  • Malleus (Hammer)
  • Incus (Anvil)
  • Stapes (Stirrup): The smallest bone in the human body.
• Eustachian Tube: Balances air pressure on both sides of the eardrum.

3. Inner Ear:

• Cochlea: A spiral-shaped organ filled with fluid and tiny hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain to interpret as sound.
• Vestibular System: Made up of the semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule, this part helps maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Would you like to explore a specific part or function of the ears in more detail?