| A | B |
|---|
| Ear | Organ responsible for hearing and balance |
| Outer Ear | Division of the ear that collects and directs sound waves |
| Pinna (Auricle) | Visible part of the outer ear that collects sound waves and directs them to the external auditory canal |
| External Auditory Canal | Passage that carries sound waves to the eardrum |
| Cerumen | Earwax that protects the ear canal |
| Tympanic Membrane | Eardrum; Thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves strike it |
| Middle Ear | Air-filled cavity (division of the ear) that houses the auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) |
| Auditory Ossicles | Three small bones that transmit and amplify vibrations / sound |
| Malleus | Hammer-shaped bone attached to the eardrum (tympanic membrane) |
| Incus | Anvil-shaped bone that transmits vibrations |
| Stapes | Smallest auditory ossicle; stirrup-shaped bone that transmits vibrations to the oval window |
| Eustachian Tube | Tube that conncts the middle ear and nasopharynx to equalize air pressure in the middle ear; can open when swallowing or yawning |
| Inner Ear | Division of the ear that converts sound vibrations into nerve impulses |
| Cochlea | Spiral-shaped structure that converts vibrations into nerve signals; contains sensory receptors for hearing |
| Organ of Corti | Structure within the cochlea containing hair cells |
| Hair Cells | Sensory receptors that convert vibrations into electrical signals |
| Auditory Nerve | Nerve that carries sound signals to the brain |
| Semicircular Canals | Inner ear structures that detect rotational movement |
| Vestibule | Part of inner ear with tiny, pouch-like structures; contain crystals that respond to linear movement and position of the head |
| Equilibrium | State of balance maintained by the inner ear |
| Sound Wave | Vibration that travels through air |
| Frequency | Determines pitch of sound |
| Amplitude | Determines loudness of sound |
| Hearing | Process of detecting and interpreting sound |
| Oval window | Small membrane between the middle and inner ear through which the stapes transmits vibrations |
| Audiologist | Health care professional (non-physician) who treats hearing and balance disorders |
