Myrna LaFleur Brooks, Verified Chapters 1 - 16, Complete
Newest Version
ear - ANSWER: organ of hearing and balance
external ear - ANSWER: consists of the auricle and external auditory canal (meatus)
auricle - ANSWER: external, visible part of the ear located on both sides of the head;
directs sound waves into the external auditory canal (also called pinna)
external auditory canal - ANSWER: short tube that ends at the tympanic membrane
middle ear - ANSWER: consists of the tympanic membrane, eustachian tube, and
ossicles
tympanic membrane - ANSWER: semitransparent membrane that separates the
external auditory meatus and the middle ear cavity
ossicles - ANSWER: bones of the middle ear that carry sound vibrations
Eustachian tube - ANSWER: passage between the middle ear and the pharynx;
equalizes air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane
inner ear - ANSWER: consists of the labyrinth and connectors of the vestibular and
the cochlear nerves
labyrinth - ANSWER: bony spaces within the temporal bones of the skull made up of
three distinct parts, the cochlea, the semicircular canals, and the vestibule.
cochlea - ANSWER: coiled portion of the inner ear containing the sensory organ for
hearing; connects to oval window in the middle ear.
semicircular canals and vestibule - ANSWER: sensory organs of balance; contain
receptors and endolymph that provide sensory information about the body's
position to maintain equilibrium
mastoid bone - ANSWER: portion of the temporal bone of the skull posterior and
inferior to each auditory canal
audi/o - ANSWER: hearing
aur/i, ot/o - ANSWER: ear
cochle/o - ANSWER: cochlea