MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY CHAPTER 13: EAR|COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE WITH 100% ACCURATE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS | ACE EVERY TEST | GUARANTEED
EXCELLENCE.
The two functions of the ear are Answer: to hear and to provide the sense of balance
The ear is made up of 3 parts Answer: the external ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.
How does hearing work Answer: the auricle directs external sound waves to the external
auditory canal where they produce vibration in the middle ear structures. The vibration of the
stapes results in the displacement of the cochlear structure which ultimately produces nerve
impulses that are carried to the brain.
external ear
auricle (pinna) Answer: external structure located on both sides of the head. The auricle directs
sound waves into the external auditory canal.
external ear
external auditory canal (meatus) Answer: short tube that ends at the tympanic membrane. The
inner part lies within the temporal bone of the skull and contains the glands that secrete earwax.
middle ear
tympanic membrane (eardrum) Answer: semitransparent membrane that separates the external
auditory canal and the middle ear cavity. The tympanic membrane transmits sound vibrations to
the ossicles.
middle ear
eustachian tube Answer: connects the middle ear and the pharynx. It equalizes air pressure on
both sides of the eardrum.
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, middle ear
ossicles Answer: bones of the middle ear that carry sound vibrations. The ossicles are
composed of malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). The stapes connects to the
oval window, which transmits the sound vibrations to the cochlea of the inner ear.
Laybrinth (inner ear) Answer: bony spaces within the temporal bone of the skull. It contains
the cochlea, semicircualar canals, and vestibule.
inner ear
cochlea Answer: snail-shaped and contains the organ of hearing. The cochlea connects to the
oval window in the middle ear
inner ear
semicircular canals and vestibule Answer: contains receptors and endolymph that help the
body maintain its sense of balance (equilibrium)
inner ear
mastoid bone and cells Answer: located in the skull bone behind the external auditory canal
audi/o Answer: hearing
aur/i, aur/o, ot/o Answer: ear
cochle/o Answer: cochlea
labyrinth/o Answer: labyrinth (inner ear)
mastoid/o Answer: mastoid bone
myring/o Answer: tympanic membrane (eardrum)
staped/o Answer: stapes (middle ear bone)
tympan/o Answer: tympanic membrane (eardrum), middle ear
vestibul/o Answer: vestibule
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
STUDY GUIDE WITH 100% ACCURATE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS | ACE EVERY TEST | GUARANTEED
EXCELLENCE.
The two functions of the ear are Answer: to hear and to provide the sense of balance
The ear is made up of 3 parts Answer: the external ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.
How does hearing work Answer: the auricle directs external sound waves to the external
auditory canal where they produce vibration in the middle ear structures. The vibration of the
stapes results in the displacement of the cochlear structure which ultimately produces nerve
impulses that are carried to the brain.
external ear
auricle (pinna) Answer: external structure located on both sides of the head. The auricle directs
sound waves into the external auditory canal.
external ear
external auditory canal (meatus) Answer: short tube that ends at the tympanic membrane. The
inner part lies within the temporal bone of the skull and contains the glands that secrete earwax.
middle ear
tympanic membrane (eardrum) Answer: semitransparent membrane that separates the external
auditory canal and the middle ear cavity. The tympanic membrane transmits sound vibrations to
the ossicles.
middle ear
eustachian tube Answer: connects the middle ear and the pharynx. It equalizes air pressure on
both sides of the eardrum.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
, middle ear
ossicles Answer: bones of the middle ear that carry sound vibrations. The ossicles are
composed of malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). The stapes connects to the
oval window, which transmits the sound vibrations to the cochlea of the inner ear.
Laybrinth (inner ear) Answer: bony spaces within the temporal bone of the skull. It contains
the cochlea, semicircualar canals, and vestibule.
inner ear
cochlea Answer: snail-shaped and contains the organ of hearing. The cochlea connects to the
oval window in the middle ear
inner ear
semicircular canals and vestibule Answer: contains receptors and endolymph that help the
body maintain its sense of balance (equilibrium)
inner ear
mastoid bone and cells Answer: located in the skull bone behind the external auditory canal
audi/o Answer: hearing
aur/i, aur/o, ot/o Answer: ear
cochle/o Answer: cochlea
labyrinth/o Answer: labyrinth (inner ear)
mastoid/o Answer: mastoid bone
myring/o Answer: tympanic membrane (eardrum)
staped/o Answer: stapes (middle ear bone)
tympan/o Answer: tympanic membrane (eardrum), middle ear
vestibul/o Answer: vestibule
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2