Diagram of Ear: Structure, Function, Parts

The ear diagram is important to understand the structure and function of the auditory system that helps us perceive sound and maintain our balance. There are three main parts-the outer, middle, and inner ear- and all function together in terms of processing sound waves. This topic is given in Class 11 as a part of the chapter Neural Control and Coordination in Biology

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The Human Ear

The human ear is an organ that helps in hearing sounds and maintaining one's balance. Its main parts are the outer ear, which collects sounds; the middle ear, which amplifies sound; and the inner ear, which translates the sounds into signals to be understood by the brain. The inner ear also contains a system for helping us maintain our balance. All these work collectively to make us hear and stay steady on our feet.

Also Read:

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• Neural Control and Coordination

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Human Ear Diagram

The labelled Diagram of the Human Ear is given below:

Description of Ear Diagram

• The pinna is the external part and collects the sound waves.

• The ear canal goes from the pinna to the eardrum.

• At the end of the ear canal, a thin membrane is represented as the eardrum.

• Represented behind the eardrum ossicles, which are malleus, incus, and stapes forming a chain in the middle ear.

• The cochlea is represented by a spiral structure in the inner ear.

• Semicircular canals as loop-like structures that lie beside the cochlea show the auditory nerve coming out of the cochlea indicating the auditory signals have passed through it to the brain.

Parts of the Ear

The structure of the human ear is explained in detail below:

External Ear

The external ear collects the sound waves and leads them into the ear canal.

Pinna (Auricle)

That projecting visible part of the ear which aids in collecting sound waves.

Ear Canal (External Auditory Meatus)

The tube that carries the sound waves to the eardrum.

Middle Ear

The middle ear amplifies sound waves and conducts them into the inner ear.

Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane)

A thin membrane that vibrates to the waves of sound.

Ossicles

Three very small bones, malleus, incus, and stapes, which amplify the vibration from the eardrum.

Inner Ear

These waves are then translated by the inner ear into electrical impulses that will then be passed to the auditory nerve and are also responsible for balance.

Cochlea

Spirally-ended organs with hair cells that convert sound into nerve impulses.

Semicircular Canals

Structures maintaining balance and spatial orientation.

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