Structure of the human ear and eye. The structure and diagram of the human ear

There is nothing surprising in the fact that a person is considered to be the most perfect sensory organ of the hearing aid. It contains the highest concentration of nerve cells (over 30,000 sensors).

Human hearing aid

The structure of this apparatus is very complex. People understand the mechanism by which the perception of sounds is carried out, but scientists are not yet fully aware of the sensation of hearing, the essence of signal transformation.

In the structure of the ear, the following main parts are distinguished:

• outdoor;
• average;
• internal.

Each of the above areas is responsible for performing specific work. The outer part is considered a receiver that perceives sounds from the external environment, the middle part is an amplifier, and the inner part is a transmitter.

The structure of the human ear

The main components of this part:

• ear canal;
• auricle.

The auricle consists of cartilage (it is characterized by elasticity, elasticity). From above it is covered with integuments. Below is the lobe. This area has no cartilage. It includes adipose tissue, skin. The auricle is considered a rather sensitive organ.

Anatomy

Smaller elements of the auricle are:

• curl;
• tragus;
• antihelix;
• curl legs;
• antitragus.

Koshcha is a specific coating lining the ear canal. Inside it contains glands that are considered to be vital. They secrete a secret that protects against many agents (mechanical, thermal, infectious).

The end of the passage is represented by a kind of dead end. This specific barrier (tympanic membrane) is required to separate the outer, middle ear. It begins to oscillate when sound waves hit it. After the sound wave hits the wall, the signal is transmitted further, towards the middle part of the ear.

Blood to this site goes through two branches of arteries. The outflow of blood is carried out through the veins (v. auricularis posterior, v. retromandibularis). localized in front, behind the auricle. They also carry out the removal of lymph.

In the photo, the structure of the outer ear

Functions

Let us indicate the significant functions that are assigned to the outer part of the ear. She is capable of:

• receive sounds;
• transmit sounds to the middle part of the ear;
• direct the wave of sound towards the inside of the ear.

Possible pathologies, diseases, injuries

Let's note the most common diseases:

Average

The middle ear plays a huge role in signal amplification. Amplification is possible due to the auditory ossicles.

Structure

We indicate the main components of the middle ear:

• tympanic cavity;
• auditory (Eustachian) tube.

The first component (tympanic membrane) contains a chain inside, which includes small bones. The smallest bones play an important role in the transmission of sound vibrations. The eardrum consists of 6 walls. Its cavity contains 3 auditory ossicles:

• hammer. Such a bone is endowed with a rounded head. This is how it is connected to the handle;
• anvil. It includes the body, processes (2 pieces) of different lengths. With the stirrup, its connection is made by means of a slight oval thickening, which is located at the end of a long process;
• stirrup. In its structure, a small head is distinguished, bearing an articular surface, an anvil, legs (2 pcs.).

Arteries go to the tympanic cavity from a. carotis externa, being its branches. Lymphatic vessels are directed to the nodes located on the lateral wall of the pharynx, as well as to those nodes that are localized behind the ear shell.

The structure of the middle ear

Functions

Bones from the chain are needed for:

1. Conducting sound.
2. Transmission of vibrations.

The muscles located in the middle ear area are specialized for various functions:

• protective. Muscle fibers protect the inner ear from sound irritations;
• tonic. Muscle fibers are needed to maintain the chain auditory ossicles, tympanic membrane tone;
• accommodative. The sound-conducting apparatus adapts to sounds endowed with different characteristics (strength, height).

Pathologies and diseases, injuries

Among the popular diseases of the middle ear, we note:

• (perforative, non-perforative, );
• catarrh of the middle ear.

Acute inflammation can appear with injuries:

• otitis, mastoiditis;
• otitis, mastoiditis;
• , mastoiditis, manifested by injuries of the temporal bone.

It can be complicated, uncomplicated. Among the specific inflammations, we indicate:

• syphilis;
• tuberculosis;
• exotic diseases.

Anatomy of the outer, middle, inner ear in our video:

Let us indicate the weighty importance of the vestibular analyzer. It is necessary to regulate the position of the body in space, as well as to regulate our movements.

Anatomy

The periphery of the vestibular analyzer is considered to be part of the inner ear. In its composition, we highlight:

• semicircular canals (these parts are located in 3 planes);
• statocyst organs (they are represented by sacs: oval, round).

The planes are called: horizontal, frontal, sagittal. The two sacs represent the vestibule. The round pouch is located near the curl. The oval sac is located closer to the semicircular canals.

Functions

Initially, the analyzer is excited. Then, thanks to the vestibulo-spinal nerve connections, somatic reactions occur. Such reactions are needed to redistribute muscle tone, maintain body balance in space.

The connection between the vestibular nuclei, the cerebellum determines the mobile reactions, as well as all the reactions for the coordination of movements that appear during the performance of sports, labor exercises. To maintain balance, vision and musculo-articular innervation are very important.

The human hearing organ is designed to receive sound signals from the outside, convert them into nerve impulses and transmission to the brain. The structure of the ear and its functions are quite complex, despite the apparent simplicity of the basic principle of operation of all structures. Everyone knows that the ears are a paired organ, their inner part is located in the temporal bones on both sides of the skull. With the naked eye, you can see only the outer parts of the ear - the well-known auricles located outside and blocking the view of the complex internal structure human ear.

The structure of the ears

The anatomy of the human ear is studied in biology classes, so every student knows that the auditory organ is able to distinguish between different vibrations and noises. This is ensured by the peculiarity of the structure of the body:

• outer ear (shell and beginning of the auditory canal);
• human middle ear (tympanic membrane, cavity, auditory ossicles, Eustachian tube);
• internal (the cochlea, which converts mechanical sounds into impulses understandable to the brain, the vestibular apparatus, which serves to maintain the balance of the human body in space).

The external, visible part of the auditory organ is the auricle. It is made up of elastic cartilage tissue, which closes with a small fold of fat and skin.

The auricle is easily deformed and damaged, often because of this, the original structure of the hearing organ is disturbed.

The outer part of the auditory organ is designed to receive and transmit sound waves coming from the surrounding space to the brain. Unlike similar organs in animals, these parts of the hearing organ in humans are practically immobile and do not play any additional roles. To carry out the transmission of sounds and create surround sound in the auditory canal, the shell is completely covered with folds from the inside, helping to process any external sound frequencies and noises that are subsequently transmitted to the brain. The human ear is graphically depicted below.

The maximum possible measured distance in meters (m), from where the human hearing organs distinguish and pick up noises, sounds and vibrations, is on average 25-30 m. It helps the auricle to do this by direct connection with the ear canal, the cartilage of which at the end turns into bone tissue and goes into the thickness of the skull. The ear canal also contains sulfur glands: the sulfur they produce protects the ear space from pathogenic bacteria and their destructive influence. Periodically, the glands clean themselves, but sometimes this process fails. In this case, sulfur plugs are formed. Removing them requires qualified assistance.

Sound vibrations "caught" in the cavity of the auricle move inward along the folds and enter the auditory canal, then collide with tympanic membrane. That is why when flying on air transport or traveling in a deep subway, as well as any sound overload, it is better to open your mouth slightly. This will help protect the delicate tissues of the membrane from rupture, pushing back the sound that enters the hearing organ with force.

The structure of the middle and inner ear

The middle part of the ear (the diagram below reflects the structure of the organ of hearing), located inside the bones of the skull, serves to convert and further send a sound signal or vibration to the inner ear. If you look in the section, it will be clearly seen that its main parts are a small cavity and auditory ossicles. Each such bone has its own special name, associated with the functions performed: stirrup, hammer and anvil.

The structure and functions of the organ of hearing in this part are special: the auditory ossicles form a single mechanism tuned to a subtle and consistent transmission of sounds. The malleus is connected with its lower part to the tympanic membrane, and its upper part is connected to the anvil connected directly to the stirrup. Such a sequential device of the human ear is fraught with disruption of the entire organ of hearing in the event that even only one of any element of the chain fails.

The middle part of the ear is connected to the organs of the nose and throat through the Eustachian tubes, which control the incoming air and the pressure exerted by it. It is these parts of the hearing organ that sensitively pick up any pressure drops. An increase or decrease in pressure is felt by a person in the form of laying ears. Due to the peculiarities of the anatomy, fluctuations in external atmospheric pressure can provoke reflex yawning. Periodic swallowing can help to quickly get rid of this reaction.

This part of the human hearing aid is located the deepest of all, it is considered the most complex in its anatomy. The inner ear includes the labyrinth, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea. The labyrinth itself is very complex in its structure: it includes the cochlea, receptor fields, uterus and sac, fastened together in one duct. Behind them are semicircular canals of 3 types: lateral, anterior, and posterior. Each such channel includes an ampullar end and a small stem. The cochlea is a complex of various structures. Here the hearing organ has a vestibule ladder and a tympanic ladder, a cochlear duct and a spiral organ, inside of which the so-called pillar cells are located.

The connection of the elements of the auditory organ

Knowing how the ear is arranged, one can understand the whole essence of its purpose. The auditory organ must perform its functions constantly and uninterruptedly, providing adequate retransmission of external noise into sound nerve impulses understandable to the brain and allowing the human body to remain in balance regardless of general position in space. To maintain this function, the vestibular apparatus never stops its work, remaining active day and night. The ability to maintain upright posture is provided by the anatomical structure of the inner part of each ear, where the components located inside embody communicating vessels that act according to the principle of the same name.

Fluid pressure is maintained by the semicircular canaliculi, which adjust to any change in the position of the body in the outside world - whether it be movement or, conversely, rest. With any movement in space, they regulate intracranial pressure.

The rest of the body is provided by the womb and sac, in which fluid is constantly moving, thanks to which nerve impulses go directly to the brain.

The same impulses support the general reflexes of the human body and the concentration of attention on a specific object, that is, they not only perform the direct functions of the organ of hearing, but also support visual mechanisms.

The ears are one of the most important organs of the human body. Any disorders of its functionality entail serious consequences that affect the quality of human life. It is important not to forget to monitor the condition of this organ and, in case of any unpleasant or unusual sensations, consult with medical professionals specializing in this area of ​​medicine. People should always be responsible for their health.

The ear represents complex organ human and animals, due to which sound vibrations are perceived and transmitted to the main nerve center of the brain. Also, the ear performs the function of maintaining balance.

As everyone knows, the human ear is a paired organ located in the thickness of the temporal bone of the skull. Outside, the ear is limited by the auricle. It is the direct receiver and conductor of all sounds.

The human hearing aid can perceive sound vibrations with a frequency exceeding 16 Hertz. The maximum ear sensitivity threshold is 20,000 Hz.

The structure of the human ear

The human hearing aid consists of:

1. outdoor part
2. middle part
3. Inner part

In order to understand the functions performed by certain components, it is necessary to know the structure of each of them. Enough complex mechanisms sound transmissions allow a person to hear sounds in the form in which they come from outside.

• Inner ear. It is the most complex part of the hearing aid. The anatomy of the inner ear is quite complex, which is why it is often called the membranous labyrinth. It is also located in the temporal bone, or rather, in its petrous part.
  The inner ear is connected to the middle ear by means of oval and round windows. The membranous labyrinth consists of the vestibule, cochlea, and semicircular canals filled with two types of fluid: endolymph and perilymph. Also in the inner ear is the vestibular system, which is responsible for the balance of a person, and his ability to accelerate in space. The vibrations that have arisen in the oval window are transferred to the liquid. With the help of it, the receptors located in the cochlea are irritated, which leads to the formation of nerve impulses.

The vestibular apparatus contains receptors that are located on the canal cristae. They are of two types: in the form of a cylinder and a flask. The hairs are opposite each other. Stereocilia during displacement cause excitation, while kinocilia, on the contrary, contribute to inhibition.

For a more accurate understanding of the topic, we bring to your attention a photo diagram of the structure of the human ear, which shows the complete anatomy of the human ear:

As you can see, the human hearing aid is a rather complex system of various formations that perform a number of important, irreplaceable functions. As for the structure of the outer part of the ear, each person may have individual characteristics that do not harm the main function.

Hearing aid care is an integral part of human hygiene, because as a result functional disorders hearing loss, as well as other diseases associated with the outer, middle or inner ear, are possible.

According to scientists, a person is more difficult to tolerate vision loss than hearing loss, because he loses the ability to communicate with environment, that is, becomes isolated.

EAR
organ of hearing and balance; its functions include the perception of sound waves and head movements. The perceiving apparatus of the ear is represented by a complex structure enclosed within the hardest bone of the body - the temporal. The outer ear only concentrates sound waves and conducts them to internal structures. In the dense bone of the inner ear there are two extremely sensitive formations: the cochlea, the actual organ of hearing, and the membranous labyrinth inserted into it - one of the sources of nerve signals in the central nervous system which maintain the balance of the body. This article is about the human ear. About the hearing aid and hearing characteristics of animals - see BIRDS,
INSECTS ,
MAMMALS ,
as well as articles on individual species of animals.
EAR ANATOMY
Anatomically, the ear is divided into three parts: the outer, middle and inner ear.

Outer ear. The protruding part of the outer ear is called the auricle, its basis is a semi-rigid supporting tissue - cartilage. The opening of the external auditory canal is located in front of the auricle, and the canal itself is directed inward and slightly forward. The auricle concentrates sound vibrations and directs them to the external auditory opening. Earwax is a waxy secretion of the sebaceous and sulfuric glands of the external auditory canal. Its function is to protect the skin of this passage from bacterial infection and foreign particles, such as insects, that can get into the ear. At different people the amount of sulfur is different. dense lump earwax (sulfur plug) can lead to impaired sound conduction and hearing loss.
Middle ear, including the tympanic cavity and the auditory (Eustachian) tube, refers to the sound-conducting apparatus. A thin, flat membrane called the tympanic membrane separates the inner end of the external auditory canal from the tympanic cavity, a flattened, rectangular-shaped space filled with air. This middle ear cavity houses a chain of three articulated miniature bones (ossicles) that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. According to the shape, the bones are called the malleus, anvil, and stirrup. The hammer with its handle is attached to the center of the eardrum with the help of ligaments, and its head is connected to the anvil, which, in turn, is attached to the stirrup. The base of the stirrup is inserted into the oval window - a hole in bone wall inner ear. Tiny muscles help transmit sound by regulating the movement of these bones. The optimal condition for the oscillation of the eardrum is the same air pressure on both sides. This is due to the fact that the tympanic cavity communicates with the external environment through the nasopharynx and the auditory tube, which opens into the lower rake angle cavities. When swallowing and yawning, air enters the tube, and from there into the tympanic cavity, which allows you to maintain pressure in it equal to atmospheric pressure. facial nerve passes through the middle ear cavity on the way to the mimic muscles of the face. It is enclosed in a bony canal above the inner wall of the tympanic cavity, goes back, down and exits under the ear. Inside the ear, he gives a twig, the so-called. drum string. Its name is due to the fact that it runs along the inner surface of the eardrum. Further, the nerve goes forward and down under the lower jaw, where branches depart from it to the taste buds of the tongue. The mastoid process is located posterior to the external auditory canal and the tympanic cavity. Inside the process contains bone cells of various shapes and sizes, filled with air. All cells communicate with a central space known as the cavern (antrum), which in turn communicates with the middle ear cavity.
Inner ear. The bony cavity of the inner ear, containing a large number of chambers and passages between them, is called the labyrinth. It consists of two parts: the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth. The bone labyrinth is a series of cavities located in the dense part of the temporal bone; three components are distinguished in it: semicircular canals - one of the sources of nerve impulses that reflect the position of the body in space; vestibule; and the cochlea, the organ of hearing. The membranous labyrinth is enclosed within the bony labyrinth. It is filled with a fluid, the endolymph, and surrounded by another fluid, the perilymph, which separates it from the bony labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth, like the bony one, consists of three main parts. The first corresponds in configuration to the three semicircular canals. The second divides the bony vestibule into two sections: the uterus and the sac. The elongated third part forms the middle (cochlear) staircase (spiral channel), repeating the curves of the cochlea (see the SNAIL section below).
Semicircular canals. There are only six of them - three in each ear. They have an arcuate shape and begin and end in the uterus. The three semicircular canals of each ear are at right angles to each other, one horizontal and two vertical. Each channel has an extension at one end - an ampoule. Six canals are located in such a way that for each there is an opposite canal in the same plane, but in the other ear, but their ampoules are located at mutually opposite ends.
Snail and organ of Corti. The name of the snail is determined by its spirally twisted shape. This is a bony canal that forms two and a half turns of a spiral and is filled with fluid. Inside, on one wall of the spiral canal, along its entire length, there is a bone protrusion. Two flat membranes run from this protrusion to the opposite wall so that the cochlea divides along its entire length into three parallel canals. The two outer ones are called the scala vestibuli and the scala tympani; they communicate with each other at the top of the cochlea. Central, so-called. spiral, cochlear canal, ends blindly, and its beginning communicates with the sac. The spiral canal is filled with endolymph, the scala vestibuli and scala tympani are filled with perilymph. The perilymph has a high concentration of sodium ions, while the endolymph has a high concentration of potassium ions. The most important function of the endolymph, which is positively charged in relation to the perilymph, is the creation of an electrical potential on the membrane separating them, which provides energy for the amplification of incoming sound signals.

The staircase of the vestibule begins in a spherical cavity - the vestibule, which lies at the base of the cochlea. One end of the ladder through the oval window (window of the vestibule) comes into contact with the inner wall of the air-filled cavity of the middle ear. The scala tympani communicates with the middle ear through a round window (cochlea window). Liquid cannot pass through these windows, since the oval window is closed by the base of the stirrup, and the round one by a thin membrane separating it from the middle ear. The spiral canal of the cochlea is separated from the scala tympani by the so-called. the main (basilar) membrane, which resembles a miniature stringed instrument. It contains a number of parallel fibers of various lengths and thicknesses, stretched across the spiral channel, and the fibers at the base of the spiral channel are short and thin. They gradually lengthen and thicken towards the end of the cochlea, like the strings of a harp. The membrane is covered with rows of sensitive, hairy cells that make up the so-called. the organ of Corti, which performs a highly specialized function - converts vibrations of the main membrane into nerve impulses. Hair cells are connected with the endings of nerve fibers, which, upon leaving the organ of Corti, form the auditory nerve (cochlear branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve).
PHYSIOLOGY OF HEARING AND BALANCE
Hearing. Sound waves cause vibrations in the tympanic membrane, which are transmitted through the chain of bones of the middle ear (ossicles) and reach the inner ear in the form of oscillatory movements of the base of the stirrup in the oval window of the vestibule. In the inner ear, these vibrations propagate as fluid pressure waves through the scala vestibule to the scala tympani and along the spiral canal of the cochlea. Due to its structure, mechanically providing tuning, the main membrane vibrates in accordance with the frequencies of incoming sounds, and in some limited place the amplitude of its vibrations is sufficient to excite the adjacent cells of the organ of Corti and transmit impulses to the endings of those nerve fibers with which they are connected. So, by activating the Corti organ of certain fibers of the auditory nerve, information is encoded that is used by the brain to distinguish between individual tones.

Equilibrium.
Balance in motion. When the head turns in one of the three planes corresponding to the location of the semicircular canals, the fluid in one of the canals moves towards the ampulla, and in the opposite (in the other ear) away from the ampulla. A change in the pressure of the liquid in the ampoule stimulates a group of sensitive cells associated with nerve fibers, which, in turn, transmit signals about a change in body position to the brain. Vertical channels are stimulated by jumping or falling, while horizontal channels are stimulated by turns or rotation.
Balance at rest. The semicircular canals are involved in maintaining the balance of the body during movement, and the uterus and sac are sensitive to the static position of the head relative to gravity. Inside the sac and uterus are small groups of cells with short, prominent hairs; above them is a gelatinous layer containing crystals of calcium carbonate - otoliths. The gelatinous layer (otolithic membrane) is quite heavy and relies only on hairs. At one position of the head, some hairs are bent, at another, others. Information from these hair cells enters the brain via the vestibular nerve (the vestibular branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve).
Reflex (automatic) maintenance of balance. Everyday experience shows that a person does not think about maintaining balance, or about his position in relation to gravity. This is because the appropriate adaptive responses are automatic. A number of complex reflexes are associated with the semicircular canals and the uterus, which control the tone of the skeletal muscles. Reflexes close at the level of brain stem structures or in spinal cord, i.e. without the participation of higher centers and consciousness (see REFLEX). Another complex of reflexes connects the signals coming from the semicircular canals with oculomotor reactions, due to which, when moving, the eyes automatically keep a certain area of ​​​​space in the field of view.
EAR DISEASES
The ear and adjacent structures contain a variety of tissue types, and each of them can serve as a source of disease; therefore, ear diseases include a wide range of pathological conditions. Any disease of the skin, cartilage, bones, mucous membranes, nerves or blood vessels may be localized in or around the ear. Eczema and skin infections are fairly common diseases of the external ear. The external auditory canal is especially susceptible to them due to the fact that it is dark, warm and moist. Eczema is difficult to treat. Its main symptoms are peeling and cracking of the skin, accompanied by itching, burning and sometimes discharge. Infectious inflammation of the external ear subjectively causes a lot of trouble, since the hard wall of the canal and the proximity of the bone cause compression of irritated skin in the event of a boil or other inflammatory process; as a result, even a very small boil, which would be barely noticeable in soft tissues, can be extremely painful in the ear. Often there are also fungal infections of the external auditory canal.
Infectious diseases of the middle ear. The infection causes inflammation of the middle ear ( otitis media); it enters the tympanic cavity from the nasopharynx through the canal connecting them - the auditory tube. The eardrum turns red, becomes tense and painful. Pus may accumulate in the middle ear cavity. In severe cases, myringotomy is performed, i.e. incise the eardrum to ensure the outflow of pus; under the pressure of accumulated pus, it can rupture spontaneously. Usually, otitis media responds well to antibiotics, but sometimes the disease progresses and develops mastoiditis (inflammation of the mastoid process of the temporal bone), meningitis, brain abscess, or other severe infectious complications that may require urgent surgical intervention. Acute infectious inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid process can become chronic, which, despite mild symptoms, continues to threaten the patient. The introduction of plastic drains and ventilation tubes into the cavity reduces the likelihood of recurrence of an acute condition. The most important complication of diseases of the middle ear is hearing loss caused by impaired sound conduction. The patient seems to have recovered completely after treatment with penicillin or other antibiotics, but a small amount of fluid remains inside the tympanic cavity, and this is quite enough to cause hearing loss, accompanied by tension, fatigue and poor understanding of speech. This condition - secretory otitis media - can lead to a decrease in a child's performance in school. The paucity of symptoms does not allow a quick diagnosis, but the treatment is simple - they make a small incision in the eardrum and remove fluid from the cavity. Re-infection in this area can lead to adhesive (adhesive) otitis with the formation of adhesions in the tympanic cavity or partial destruction of the tympanic membrane and auditory ossicles. In these cases, the correction is carried out using surgical operations, united under the general name of tympanoplasty. Infectious inflammation of the middle ear can also cause tinnitus. Tuberculosis and syphilis of the ear are almost always associated with the presence of a focus of the corresponding infection in the body. Ear cancer can occur in any part of the ear, but is rare. Sometimes develop benign tumors requiring surgical intervention. Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder characterized by hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness ranging from mild vertigo and unsteady gait to severe attacks with complete loss of balance. eyeballs make involuntary rapid rhythmic movements (horizontal, rarely vertical or circular), called nystagmus. Many, even rather severe cases, are amenable to therapeutic treatment; if it fails, they resort to surgical destruction of the labyrinth. Otosclerosis is a disease of the bone capsule of the labyrinth, which leads to a decrease in the mobility of the stirrup base in the oval window of the inner ear and, as a result, to impaired sound conduction and hearing loss. In many cases, a significant improvement in hearing is achieved through surgery.
EAR SURGERY
Ear surgery specializes in surgical treatment deformities, infectious processes in the ear and surrounding tissues and in the surgical treatment of deafness. The complexity and fragility of the structures of the inner ear delayed the development of ear surgery until the late 19th century, as most attempts surgical intervention ended badly. The era of modern ear surgery began in 1885, when the German otolaryngologists G. Schwarze and A. Eisell proposed a carefully developed technique for draining and opening the air cells of the mastoid process as a way to treat its chronic inflammation. Tympanoplasty. Since the 1950s, many surgical techniques have been developed to repair affected parts of the middle ear. Recent advances in this field have been made possible in large part by the advent of the operating microscope, which allows surgeons to perform subtle manipulations aimed at restoring fragile structures in the middle ear. A damaged or scarred eardrum can be replaced by a transplant connective tissue from the surface of the adjacent temporalis muscle. If damage extends to the ossicles of the inner ear, transplantation of the tympanic membrane and the entire ossicular chain using cadaveric material is possible.
Stirrup prostheses. Deafness caused by a violation of sound conduction may be associated with blocking of the vibrations of the stirrup in the oval window of the cochlea due to scarring. In this case, sound vibrations do not reach the cochlear canal. For the early stages of the process, a technique has been developed for stapes remobilization (destruction of scar tissue, replacement of the foramen ovale membrane, or both) and fenestration (creation of a new opening in the cochlear canal). The development of prostheses to replace some or all of the ossicles of the tympanic cavity has simplified operations and significantly improved their results. A prosthetic stirrup made of Teflon, tantalum, or ceramic helps restore sound conduction from the tympanic membrane to the cochlea.
Snail prostheses. With neurosensory (caused by impaired perception of sound) deafness, the hair cells of the organ of Corti are damaged or absent, i.e. sound vibrations are not converted into electrical impulses of the auditory nerve. If the auditory nerve is still functioning, hearing can be partially restored by inserting an electrode into the cochlea and directly stimulating the nerve fibers with an electric current. Several devices have been developed that convert sounds picked up by an external microphone into electrical signals that are transmitted through the skin to the cochlea, causing irritation of nearby auditory nerve fibers. These nerve impulses are perceived by the brain as sound, like impulses from the hair cells of the organ of Corti. However, the sound quality is still poor and even in the best cases it is barely enough to partially understand speech.
Ear plastic surgery. Plastic surgery techniques are used to correct congenital or trauma-related ear deformities. For example, appearance An external ear that has suffered from multiple injuries can be restored with cartilage and skin grafts from other parts of the body. Plastic surgery methods can also improve the appearance of patients with protruding auricles.
see also DEAFNESS; HEARING.

Collier Encyclopedia. - Open society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

See what "EAR" is in other dictionaries:

Ah, pl. ears, ears, cf. 1. Organ of hearing. Outer, middle, inner. (anat.). Hard to hear in the left ear. Deaf in one ear. Noise in ears. Ringing in the ear (see ringing). "I heard him speak with my own ears." Pisemsky. “A multilingual is buzzing in my ears ... ... Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov

- (1) 1. The organ of hearing in humans and animals: [Tyi bo Oleg is a sword of sedition for kovash, and arrows on the ground soyash. He steps into the golden stirrup in the city of Tmutorokan. The same ringing was heard by the ancient great Yaroslav, and the son of Vsevolozh Vladimir, all ears in the morning ... ... Dictionary-reference book "The Tale of Igor's Campaign"

EAR- (external) consists of a sink (auricula) and an external auditory meatus (meatus auditorius externus); develops from a roller surrounding the tympanic membrane of the embryo, located initially at the level of the skin. In this education arises ... ... Big Medical Encyclopedia

The ear is a complex organ with two functions: listening, through which we perceive sounds and interpret them, thus communicating with the environment; and maintaining body balance.

Auricle- captures and directs sound waves into the internal auditory canal;

rear labyrinth, or semicircular canals - directs movements to the head and brain to regulate the balance of the body;

front labyrinth, or cochlea - contains sensory cells, which, capturing the vibrations of sound waves, transform mechanical impulses into nerve impulses;

Auditory nerve- directs general nerve impulses to the brain;

Bones of the middle ear: hammer, anvil, stirrup - receive vibrations from auditory waves, amplify them and transmit them to the inner ear;

external ear canal- picks up sound waves coming from outside and sends them to the middle ear;

Eardrum- a membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it and transmits vibrations along the chain of bones in the middle ear;

Eustachian tube canal that connects the tympanic membrane to the pharynx
in equilibrium the pressure created in the middle ear with the pressure of the environment.

The ear is divided into three sections, the functions of which are different.

; the outer ear consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal, its purpose is to capture sounds;
; the middle ear is located in the temporal bone, separated from the inner ear by a movable membrane - the tympanic membrane - and contains three articular bones: the hammer, anvil and stirrup, which are involved in the transmission of sounds to the cochlea;
; the inner ear, also called the labyrinth, is formed from two sections that perform different functions: the anterior labyrinth, or cochlea, where the organ of Corti is located, is responsible for hearing, and the posterior labyrinth, or semicircular canals, in which impulses are generated that take part in maintaining the balance of the body (article "Balance and hearing")

The inner ear, or labyrinth, consists of a very strong bony skeleton, the ear capsule, or bony labyrinth, within which is a membranous mechanism with a bone-like structure, but consisting of membranous tissue. The inner ear is hollow but filled with fluid: between the bony labyrinth and the membrane is perilymph, while the labyrinth itself is filled with endolymph. The anterior labyrinth, whose bony form is called the cochlea, contains structures that generate auditory impulses. The posterior labyrinth, which takes part in the regulation of the balance of the body, has a bone skeleton, consisting of a cubic part, a vestibule and three channels in the form of an arc - semicircular, each of which includes a space with a flat plane.

The cochlea, so named because of its spiral shape, contains a membrane composed of fluid-filled channels: a triangular central canal and a whorl containing endolymph, which is located between the scala vestibuli and the scala tympani. These two scalas are partly separated, leading to large canals of the cochlea covered with thin membranes separating the inner ear from the middle ear: the scala tympani begins at the oval fenestra, while the scala vestibuli reaches the round fenestra. The cochlea, which has a triangular shape, consists of three faces: the upper one, which is separated from the scala vestibule by the Reissner membrane, the lower one, separated from the scala tympani by the main membrane, and the side, which is attached to the shell and is a vascular groove that produces endolymph. Inside the cochlea there is a special auditory organ - Corti (the mechanism of sound perception is described in detail in the article "