Difference between revisions of "Ear"
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==Inner Ear== | ==Inner Ear== | ||
Sound comes into the inner ear as vibrations and enters the [[cochlea]], a small, curled tube in the inner ear. The cochlea is filled with [[liquid]], which is set into motion, like a wave, when the ossicles vibrate. The cochlea is also lined with tiny cells covered in tiny hairs that are so small you would need a microscope to see them. They may be small, but they're awfully important. When sound reaches the cochlea, the vibrations (sound) cause the hairs on the cells to move, creating nerve signals that the brain understands as sound. | Sound comes into the inner ear as vibrations and enters the [[cochlea]], a small, curled tube in the inner ear. The cochlea is filled with [[liquid]], which is set into motion, like a wave, when the ossicles vibrate. The cochlea is also lined with tiny cells covered in tiny hairs that are so small you would need a microscope to see them. They may be small, but they're awfully important. When sound reaches the cochlea, the vibrations (sound) cause the hairs on the cells to move, creating nerve signals that the brain understands as sound. | ||
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Revision as of 01:30, April 15, 2007
The ear is the organ of hearing in most animals that have them. Ears are able to collect sounds, process them, and send sound signals to your brain. Your ears also help you keep your balance. The ear is made up of three different sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These parts all work together so you can hear and process sounds.
Outer Ear
The outer ear is called the auricle. This is the part of the ear that people can see. It's what people pierce to wear earrings. The main job of the outer ear is to collect sounds. The outer ear also includes the ear canal, where wax is produced. Ear wax is the gunky substance that protects the ear canal. Ear wax contains chemicals that fight off infections that could hurt the skin inside the ear canal. It also collects dirt to help keep the ear canal clean.
Middle Ear
After sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and make their way to the middle ear. The middle ear's function is to take those sound waves and turn them into vibrations that are delivered to the inner ear. To do this, it needs the ear drum, which is a thin piece of skin stretched tight like a drum. The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear and the ossicles. The ossicles are the three tiniest, most delicate bones in your body. They include:
- the malleus, which is attached to the eardrum and means "hammer" in Latin
- the incus, which is attached to the malleus and means "anvil" in Latin
- the stapes, the smallest bone in the body, which is attached to the incus and means "stirrup" in Latin
When sound waves reach the eardrum, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. When the eardrum vibrates, it moves the tiny ossicles - from the hammer to the anvil and then to the stirrup. These bones help sound move along on its journey into the inner ear.
Inner Ear
Sound comes into the inner ear as vibrations and enters the cochlea, a small, curled tube in the inner ear. The cochlea is filled with liquid, which is set into motion, like a wave, when the ossicles vibrate. The cochlea is also lined with tiny cells covered in tiny hairs that are so small you would need a microscope to see them. They may be small, but they're awfully important. When sound reaches the cochlea, the vibrations (sound) cause the hairs on the cells to move, creating nerve signals that the brain understands as sound.