Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Basic Ear Anatomy Worksheet

1. Sketch a picture of an ear and label the following:

Inner ear
middle ear
outer ear
pinna
tympanic membrane
cochlea
stapes
malleus
incus

Click to enlarge.



2. What is the function of the following:

Pinna - a cartilage flap that directs sound waves into the ear
Tympanic membrane - responsible for turning sound waves into vibrations
Ossicles - the three bones inside the ear that help to amplify sounds
Cochlea - Fluid filled sac that converts sound into nerve impulses through way of tiny hairs located on the walls of the cochlea
Semicircular canals - Used for balance control


What three bones make up the ossicles? The malleus, the incus, and the stapes.

What is the function of hairs in the ear? To process sound vibrations into nerve impulses.