The Anatomy of the Ear

There are 3 main parts to the ear:

Outer Ear

• Pinna (auricle) – collects and funnels sound into the ear canal.
• Ear canal (external auditory meatus) – directs sound into the ear.
  

Middle Ear

• Eardrum (tympanic membrane) – changes sound into vibrations.
• Chain of three small bones (ossicles) – hammer, anvil and stirrup (malleus, incus and stapes) – transfers vibrations to the inner ear.

Inner Ear

• Inner ear (cochlea) – contains fluid and highly sensitive cells (hair cells), with tiny hairlike structures that move with sound vibrations.
• Vestibular system – contains cells that control balance.
• Auditory nerve – leads from the cochlea to the brain.