Ear Anatomy & Physiology for Nurses

1. Ear
Anatomy& Physiology
By
Syed Yousaf Shah
Assistant Professor ION-DUHS

2. Learning Objectives
• Describe the structure and function of the ear
• Discuss the transmission of sound through the
ear.
• Describe the physiology of hearing and
Balance.
• References
2Syed Yousaf Shah

3. Basic Mechanics of Hearing
• Ears are important for hearing and for
controlling a sense of position and balance.
• Each ear is divided into three sections:
• The outer ear.
• The middle ear.
• The inner ear.
3Syed Yousaf Shah

4. 4Syed Yousaf Shah

5. The Outer Ear
• The external part of the ear consists of the
pinna and ear lobe.
• The outer ear functions to collect sound
(acoustic energy), and funnel it to the
eardrum (tympanic membrane).
5Syed Yousaf Shah

6. 6Syed Yousaf Shah

7. The Middle Ear
• The middle ear is an air-filled space that
contains three tiny bones known as ossicles
which transmit sound.
• The bones are known individually (according
to their shapes) as the:
• Malleus (hammer).
• Incus (anvil).
• Stapes (stirrup).
7Syed Yousaf Shah

8. 8Syed Yousaf Shah

9. The Eustachian Tube
• The Eustachian tube is a narrow tube that
connects the middle ear to the back of the
nose and throat.
• During swallowing, the Eustachian tube opens
up to allow air into the middle ear, so that air
pressure on either side of the tympanic
membrane is the same.
9Syed Yousaf Shah

10. 10Syed Yousaf Shah

11. The Inner Ear
• The inner ear contains two main structures:
• The cochlea, in the shape of a snail, which is
involved in hearing.
• The round window (fenestra cochlea) is a
membrane that connects the cochlea to the
middle ear.
• It helps dampen the vibrations in the cochlea.11Syed Yousaf Shah

12. The Inner Ear
• The vestibular system (consisting of the
semicircular canals, saccule and utricle), which
is responsible for maintaining balance and a
sense of position.
12Syed Yousaf Shah

13. 13Syed Yousaf Shah

14. Transmission of Sound through
the Ear.
• A sound wave enters the outer ear, then goes
through the auditory canal, where it causes
vibration in the eardrum.
• The vibration makes three bones in the middle
ear move.
• The movement causes vibrations that move
through the fluid of the cochlea, which is
located in the inner ear.
14Syed Yousaf Shah

15. 15Syed Yousaf Shah

16. Physiology of Hearing and Balance
• The cochlea, in the shape of a snail, which is
involved in hearing.
• The vestibular system (consisting of the
semicircular canals, saccule and utricle), which
is responsible for maintaining balance and a
sense of position.
16Syed Yousaf Shah

17. 17Syed Yousaf Shah

18. 18Syed Yousaf Shah

19. • Ross and Wilson anatomy and physiology in
health and illness 10th edition.
References