Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026

07:40
Dissection of the Auditory Bulla in Postnatal Mice: Isolation of the Middle Ear Bones and Histological Analysis
Published on: January 4, 2017
32.0K
[A man with an anomaly in his ear].
T E M van Doeveren1, M Bol, W M C Klop
1Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|June 22, 2017
Summary
A benign seborrheic keratosis, a common skin growth, was found in a 65-year-old man's ear. This ear lesion, though not causing physical symptoms, was surgically removed due to cosmetic concerns.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Seborrheic keratosis is a common benign epidermal tumor.
- Ear anomalies can cause significant patient distress, impacting quality of life.
Observation:
- A 65-year-old male patient presented with a left ear lesion.
- The lesion was a pigmented, pedunculated, polypoid tumor measuring approximately 2 x 2.5 cm.
- The tumor occupied the entire cavum conchae of the ear.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the ear lesion was performed.
- Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of verruca seborrhoica (seborrheic keratosis).
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering benign skin tumors in the differential diagnosis of ear lesions.
- Patient concerns regarding cosmetic appearance can be a valid indication for surgical intervention of benign growths.
- Accurate histopathological diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and patient reassurance.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of the Ear
12.2K
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...
12.2K
The Cochlea
51.8K
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.
51.8K
The Auditory Ossicles
3.4K
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...
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
3.4K
Hearing
58.0K
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.
58.0K
Auditory Perception
1.3K
The auditory system is essential for sound perception, utilizing various critical structures. When sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear, where three tiny bones – the malleus, incus, and stapes – amplify the sound. This amplification is crucial, as it ensures that the sound vibrations are strong enough to be conveyed to the inner ear. These vibrations then reach the...
1.3K
Echo
1.1K
The human ear cannot distinguish between two sources of sound if they happen to reach within a specific time interval, typically 0.1 seconds apart. More than this, and they are perceived as separate sources.
Imagine the sound is reflected back to the ears. Assuming that the source is very close to the human, the difference between hearing the two sounds—the emitted sound and the reflected sound—may be more than the minimum time for perceiving distinct sounds. If this is the case,...
Imagine the sound is reflected back to the ears. Assuming that the source is very close to the human, the difference between hearing the two sounds—the emitted sound and the reflected sound—may be more than the minimum time for perceiving distinct sounds. If this is the case,...
1.1K

