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Anatomy of the Ear

Anatomy of the Ear

Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...

Hair Cells

Hair Cells

Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.

The Cochlea

The Cochlea

The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.

Hearing

Hearing

When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.

The Auditory Ossicles

The Auditory Ossicles

The auditory ossicles of the middle ear transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. The auditory ossicles consist of two malleus (hammer) bones, two incus (anvil) bones, and two stapes (stirrups), one on each side. These bones develop during the fetal stage and are the ones to ossify first. They are fully mature at birth and do not grow afterward.
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...

Auditory Pathway

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings

Published on: May 7, 2016

Ear wax.

George G G Browning¹

¹MRC Institute of Hearing Research, Glasgow, UK.

BMJ Clinical Evidence

|May 20, 2009

Summary

Ear wax removal methods like syringing, manual techniques, and softening drops are reviewed for effectiveness and safety. This systematic review synthesizes evidence to guide clinical decisions regarding problematic ear wax accumulation.

Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Evidence-based medicine

Background:

Ear wax (cerumen) impaction can lead to hearing impairment and other ear symptoms.
Accumulation is often caused by preventative factors like hearing aid use or cotton bud cleaning.
Ear wax may obscure the tympanic membrane, necessitating removal for diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review the effects of various ear wax removal methods.
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of interventions for cerumen impaction.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of literature up to June 2007.
Inclusion of nine systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and observational studies.
GRADE evaluation of evidence quality for interventions.

More Related Videos

Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy (Retrograde Mastoidectomy) using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique

Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy (Retrograde Mastoidectomy) using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique

Published on: May 23, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings

Published on: May 7, 2016

Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy (Retrograde Mastoidectomy) using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique

Endaural Endoscopic Atticoantrotomy (Retrograde Mastoidectomy) using a Constant Suction Bone-drilling Technique

Published on: May 23, 2021

Main Results:

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.
Evidence quality was assessed using the GRADE system.
Information on effectiveness and safety of interventions was compiled.

Conclusions:

The review presents findings on ear syringing, manual ear wax removal, and wax softeners.
Effectiveness and safety data for these interventions are summarized.
Findings aim to inform clinical practice for managing ear wax.