The study of the human ear. The structure of the hearing organs

The organ of hearing and balance, the vestibulocochlear organ in humans, has a complex structure, perceives the vibration of sound waves and determines the orientation of the body position in space. The vestibulocochlear organ is divided into three parts: the outer, middle and inner ear. These parts are closely related anatomically and functionally. The outer and middle ear conducts sound vibrations to the inner ear, and thus is a sound-conducting apparatus. The inner ear, in which the bony and membranous labyrinths are distinguished, forms the organ of hearing and balance. outer ear includes auricle, external auditory meatus and eardrum, which are designed to capture and conduct sound vibrations.

The auricle consists of elastic cartilage and has a complex configuration, covered with skin on the outside. Cartilage is absent in the lower part, the so-called lobule or earlobe. The free edge of the shell is wrapped, and is called a curl, and the roller running parallel to it is called an antihelix. At the front edge of the auricle, a protrusion stands out - a tragus, and behind it is an antitragus. The auricle is attached to the temporal bone by ligaments, has rudimentary muscles that are well expressed in animals. The auricle is designed in such a way as to concentrate sound vibrations as much as possible and direct them to the external auditory opening.

External auditory canal It is an S-shaped tube that opens from the outside with the auditory opening and ends blindly in depth and is separated from the cavity of the middle ear by the tympanic membrane. The length of the ear canal in an adult is about 36 mm, the diameter at the beginning reaches 9 mm, and at the narrow point 6 mm. The cartilaginous part, which is a continuation of the cartilage of the auricle, is 1/3 of its length, the remaining 2/3 are formed by the bony canal of the temporal bone. At the point of transition of one part to another, the external auditory meatus is narrowed and curved. It is lined with skin and rich in fatty glands that secrete earwax.

Eardrum- a thin translucent oval plate measuring 11x9 mm, which is located on the border of the outer and middle ear. It is located obliquely, with the lower wall of the auditory canal forms an acute angle. The tympanic membrane consists of two parts: a large lower - stretched part and a smaller upper - loose part. Outside, it is covered with skin, it forms the basis connective tissue internally lined with mucous membrane. In the center of the eardrum there is a recess - the navel, which corresponds to the attachment with inside hammer handles.

Middle ear includes a mucous membrane lined and air-filled tympanic cavity (about 1 cm 3 in volume) and the auditory (Eustachian) tube. The cavity of the middle ear connects with the mastoid cave and through it - with the mastoid cells of the mastoid process.

tympanic cavity is located in the thickness of the pyramid of the temporal bone, between the tympanic membrane laterally and the bone labyrinth medially. It has six walls: 1) upper tegmental - separates it from the cranial cavity and is located on the upper surface of the temporal bone pyramid; 2) inferior jugular - the wall separates the tympanic cavity from the outer base of the skull, is located on the lower surface of the pyramid of the temporal bone and corresponds to the region of the jugular fossa; 3) medial labyrinth - separates the tympanic cavity from the bony labyrinth of the inner ear.

On this wall there is an oval hole - the window of the vestibule, closed by the base of the stirrup; slightly higher on this wall is the protrusion of the facial canal, and below is the cochlear window, closed by the secondary tympanic membrane, which separates the tympanic cavity from the scala tympani; 4) posterior mastoid - separates the tympanic cavity from the mastoid process and has an opening that leads to the mastoid cave, the latter, in turn, is connected to the mastoid cells; 5) anterior carotid - borders on the carotid canal. Here is the tympanic opening of the auditory tube, through which the tympanic cavity is connected to the nasopharynx; 6) lateral membranous - formed by the tympanic membrane and the surrounding parts of the temporal bone. The tympanic cavity contains three mucosal auditory ossicles as well as ligaments and muscles. The auditory ossicles are small. Connecting with each other, they form a chain that stretches from the eardrum to the foramen ovale. All the bones are interconnected with the help of joints and are covered with a mucous membrane. The malleus is fused with the tympanic membrane with a handle, and the head with the help of a joint is connected to the anvil, which in turn is movably connected to the stirrup.

The base of the stirrup closes the vestibule window. There are two muscles in the tympanic cavity: one goes from the canal of the same name to the handle of the malleus, and the other, the stirrup muscle, goes from the back wall to the back leg of the stirrup. With the contraction of the stapedius muscle, the pressure of the base on the perilymph changes. auditory trumpet has an average length of 35 mm, a width of 2 mm serves to supply air from the pharynx into the tympanic cavity and maintains the same pressure in the cavity as the external one, which is very important for the normal operation of the sound-conducting apparatus. The auditory tube has cartilaginous and bony parts, lined with ciliated epithelium.

The cartilaginous part of the auditory tube begins with a pharyngeal opening on the side wall of the nasopharynx, goes down and laterally, then narrows and forms an isthmus. The bone part is smaller than the cartilaginous part, lies in the same-named semi-canal of the pyramid of the temporal bone and opens into the tympanic cavity with the opening of the auditory tube. inner ear located in the thickness of the pyramid of the temporal bone, separate from the tympanic cavity by its labyrinthine wall. It consists of a bone labyrinth and a membranous labyrinth inserted into it. The bony labyrinth consists of the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals. The vestibule is a cavity of small size and irregular shape. There are two openings on the lateral wall: the vestibule window and the cochlear window. On the medial wall of the vestibule there is a crest of the vestibule, which divides the cavity of the vestibule into two recesses - anterior spherical and posterior elliptical. Through an opening on the posterior wall, the vestibule cavity is connected to the bony semicircular canals, and through an opening on the anterior wall, the spherical recess of the vestibule is connected to the bony spiral canal of the cochlea.

Snail- the front part of the bony labyrinth, it is a convoluted spiral canal of the cochlea, which forms 2.5 turns around the axis of the cochlea. The base of the cochlea is directed medially towards the internal auditory meatus; the top of the dome of the cochlea - towards the tympanic cavity. The axis of the cochlea lies horizontally and is called the bony shaft of the cochlea. A bone spiral plate is wrapped around the rod, which partially blocks the spiral canal of the cochlea. At the base of this plate there is a spiral channel of the rod, where the spiral ganglion snails.

bony semicircular canals are three arcuate curved thin tubes that lie in three mutually perpendicular planes. On a transverse section, the width of each bony semicircular canal is about 2 mm. The anterior (sagittal, superior) semicircular canal lies above the other canals, and its upper point on the anterior wall of the pyramid forms an arched elevation. The posterior (frontal) semicircular canal is located parallel to the posterior surface of the temporal bone pyramid. The lateral (horizontal) semicircular canal protrudes slightly into the tympanic cavity. Each semicircular canal has two ends - bony legs. One of them is a simple bone stalk, the other is an ampullar bone stalk. The semicircular canals open with five holes into the cavity of the vestibule, and the adjacent legs of the anterior and posterior valves form a common bone leg, which opens with one hole.

membranous labyrinth in its shape and structure, it coincides with the shape of the bone labyrinth and differs only in size, since it is located inside the bone labyrinth. The gap between the bony and membranous labyrinths is filled with perilymph, and the cavity of the membranous labyrinth is filled with endolymph.

The walls of the membranous labyrinth are formed by the connective tissue layer, the main membrane and the epithelial layer. The membranous vestibule consists of two recesses: an elliptical one, which is called the uterus, and a spherical one, the sac. The sac passes into the endolymphatic duct, which ends in the endolymphatic sac. Both recesses, together with the membranous semicircular ducts, with which the uterus is connected, form the vestibular apparatus and are the organ of balance. They contain the peripheral apparatus of the nerve of the vestibule. The membranous semicircular ducts have a common membranous pedicle and are connected to the bony semicircular canals in which they lie through connective tissue cords.

The sac communicates with the cavity of the cochlear canal. The membranous cochlea, also called the cochlear duct, includes the peripheral apparatus of the cochlear nerve. On the basilar plate of the cochlear duct, which is a continuation of the bone spiral plate, there is a protrusion of the neuroepithelium, called the spiral or Corti's organ. It consists of supporting and epithelial cells located on the main membrane. Nerve fibers approach them - processes nerve cells main ganglion. It is the organ of Corti that is responsible for the perception of sound stimuli, since the nerve processes are receptors for the cochlear part of the vestibulocochlear nerve. Above the spiral organ is an integumentary membrane.

TICKET 29 (STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE VESTIBULAR SENSORY SYSTEM)

Departments of the organ of hearing

The auditory organ is divided into three sections:

1. sound-catching department - outer ear;
2. sound transmitting department - middle ear;
3. sound-receiving department - the inner ear.

The organ of hearing is represented by: auricle -1; membranous-cartilaginous section of the external auditory canal - 2; the bone section of the external auditory canal - 3; eardrum - 4; tympanic cavity - 5; labyrinth - 6; auditory tube -7.

outer ear

The outer ear is represented by the auricle, external auditory canal and tympanic membrane. The function of the outer ear is to capture sound vibrations.

The auricle is an elastic cartilage that is covered with skin (except for the lobe, which is a fold of skin with fatty tissue in its thickness).

The auricle, passing into the external auditory canal, forms a funnel-shaped narrowing.

The external auditory meatus is a tube that opens from the outside with the auditory opening, and ends blindly at the eardrum, connecting the shell with it.

In an adult, the length of the ear canal is about 36 mm.

On the border of the outer and middle ear is a translucent thin oval plate - the tympanic membrane. Outside, it is covered with skin, inside it is lined with a mucous membrane, and the basis of the tympanic membrane is connective tissue.

The auricle directs sound into auditory canal. Sound waves must travel through the auditory canal to reach the eardrum, which separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

Middle ear

The middle ear consists of the Eustachian (auditory) tube and the tympanic cavity. In the tympanic cavity there are three auditory ossicles - anvil, hammer, stirrup, as well as ligaments and muscles.

The auditory tube serves to bring air from the pharynx into the tympanic cavity. The Eustachian tube provides pressure in the tympanic cavity equal to the external one, which plays an important role in the work hearing aid.

The auditory tube consists of bone and cartilage tissue, and is lined on the outside with ciliated epithelium.

Remark 1

The middle ear acts as a matching device that transmits sound from air (low density medium) to liquid inner ear(dense medium).

inner ear

The inner ear consists of a bony labyrinth, with a membranous labyrinth inserted into it.

The bony labyrinth is represented by the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals. The membranous labyrinth follows the contour of the bony labyrinth, it is filled with lymphatic fluid.

On the inner surface of the membranous labyrinth there are hair cells that perceive fluctuations in the lymphatic fluid at various positions of the body. Irritation of these cells cranial nerves transferred to medulla and cerebellum. The inner ear is responsible for the sense of balance. The outer and middle ear are accessory sensory structures that conduct sound to auditory receptors located in the cochlea (inner ear). The inner ear contains two types of receptors - auditory receptors located in the cochlea and located in the structures of the vestibular apparatus - vestibular receptors. The sensation of sound appears when compression waves, caused by vibrations of air molecules in the longitudinal direction, hit the auditory organs.

The mechanism of conducting sounds

The auricle picks up sound vibrations, which through the external auditory canal, reaching the tympanic membrane, cause it to vibrate. The tympanic membrane moves medially with the handle of the malleus. The hammer drives the anvil, and the anvil drives the stirrup.

The stirrup pressing into the window of the vestibule moves the relymph of the vestibule. Then the vibrations from the vestibule are transmitted to the perilymph of the scala vestibuli, and in the apex of the cochlea to the perilymph of the scala tympani. Sound vibrations along the tympanic ladder reach the secondary tympanic membrane, and then return again to the tympanic cavity.

Sound vibrations, transmitted to the walls of the membranous labyrinth from the perilymph, set in motion the endolymph and basement membrane.

The organs of hearing allow us to perceive the variety of sounds of the external world, to recognize their nature and location. Through the ability to hear, a person acquires the ability to speak. The organ of hearing is the most complex, finely tuned system of three sections connected in series.

outer ear

The first section is the auricle - complex shape a cartilaginous plate, covered with skin on both sides, and an external auditory meatus.

The main function of the auricle is to receive acoustic vibrations of the air. From the hole in the auricle begins the external auditory meatus - a tube 27 - 35 mm long, going deep into the temporal bone of the skull. In the skin lining the ear canal, there are sulfur glands, the secret of which prevents the infection from entering the organ of hearing. The tympanic membrane - a thin but strong membrane - separates the outer ear from the second part of the hearing organ, the middle ear.

Middle ear

In the recess is the main part of the Auditory (Eustachian) tube - the link between the middle ear and the nasopharynx. When swallowed, it opens and allows air to enter the middle ear, which balances the pressure in the tympanic cavity and the external auditory canal.

In the middle ear are movably interconnected miniature - complex mechanism to transmit acoustic vibrations coming from the external auditory canal to the auditory cells of the inner ear. The first bone is the hammer, attached to the long end of the second - the anvil, connected to the third miniature bone, the stirrup. The stirrup is adjacent to the oval window from which the inner ear begins. The bones that include the organ of hearing are very small. For example, the mass of a stirrup is only 2.5 mg.

inner ear

The third section of the organ of hearing is represented by the vestibule (a miniature bone chamber), semicircular canals and a special formation - a thin-walled bone tube twisted into a spiral.

This part, shaped like a grape snail, is called the cochlea.

The organ of hearing has important anatomical formations that allow you to maintain balance and assess the position of the body in space. These are the vestibule and semicircular canals, filled with fluid and lined from the inside with very sensitive cells. When a person changes the position of the body, there is a displacement of fluid in the channels. The receptors detect fluid displacement and send a signal about this event to the brain. So the organ of hearing and balance allows the brain to learn about the movements of our body.

The membrane located inside the cochlea consists of about 25 thousand of the thinnest fibers of various lengths, each of which responds to sounds of a certain frequency and excites the endings of the auditory nerve. Nervous excitation is first transmitted to then reaches the cerebral cortex. In the auditory centers of the brain, stimuli are analyzed and systematized, as a result of which we hear sounds that fill the world.

The organs of balance and hearing are a complex of structures that perceive vibrations, identify sound waves transmit gravitational signals to the brain. The main receptors are located in the so-called membranous cochlea and vestibule of the ear. The remaining structures that form the inner and middle ear are auxiliary. In this material, we will consider in detail the organs of hearing and balance, their analyzers.

outer ear

It is represented by the external auricle - elastic cartilaginous tissue covered with skin. The outer earlobe is filled with fatty structure. Since the external ear is practically immobile in humans, its role is less significant than in animals, which find through the guidance of the ears.

The development of the organ of hearing and balance has led to the formation of characteristic folds and curls in the outer auricle of a person, which contribute to the capture of vertically and horizontally localized sounds.

outdoor part auditory organ has a length of about 2.5-3.5 mm and a diameter of 6 to 8 mm. The cartilaginous tissue of the external auditory canal smoothly passes into the bone. Internal surfaces outer ear are lined with epithelium containing sebaceous glands. The latter, in addition to fats, produce earwax, which prevents the body from being polluted with dust, small debris, and protects it from the reproduction of microorganisms.

Eardrum

It has the appearance of a thin membrane with a thickness of not more than 0.1 mm, which is located on the border of the outer and middle ear. Sound waves that are reflected from the convolutions of the auricle pass through the ear canal, causing the eardrum to vibrate. In turn, the generated signals are transmitted to the middle ear.

Middle ear

The basis of the middle ear is a small cavity, with a volume of about 1 cm 3, which is located in the region of the temporal bone of the skull. It houses several auditory ossicles - the so-called stirrup, hammer and anvil. They act as miniature bone fragments that form the organ of hearing and balance. It is innervated by a set of corresponding nerves.

inner ear

What does this organ of hearing and balance consist of? Histology is represented by the following elements:

1. The bony labyrinth, consisting of the vestibule of the inner ear, the semicircular canals and the bony cochlea. These elements are filled with perilymph - a specific fluid that converts sound vibrations into mechanical ones.
2. which is represented by a spherical and elliptical sac, three semicircular membranous canals. The represented part of the inner ear is located in the bony labyrinth and is mainly responsible for maintaining the balance of the body in space.
3. The cochlea is an organ of hearing and balance, the structure of which allows you to convert sound vibrations into nervous excitation. It forms a cochlear canal with 2.5 turns, which are separated by the thinnest Reissner's membrane and the main, denser membrane. The latter consists of more than 20,000 specific fibers, which are called auditory strings. They are stretched across the auditory membrane.

Organ of Corti

Responsible for the formation nerve impulses that are transmitted to the neurons of the brain. The organ is presented in the form of several hairs that play

Schematically, the process of formation of nerve impulses occurs as follows. Sound waves coming from outside set the fluids in the cochlea in motion. The vibrations are transmitted to the stirrup, and then to the membrane with hair cells. Presented structures are excited, which causes the transmission of signals to neurons. Hair cells are connected to sensory receptors, which together make up the auditory nerve.

Functions of the organ of hearing, balance

The following functions of the organ of hearing and balance are distinguished:

1. protects the inside of the organ from pollution, reflects sounds into the ear canal.
2. The middle ear conducts sound waves. The hammer reacts to the movement of the tympanic membrane, transmitting them to the stirrup and anvil.
3. The inner ear provides sound perception and identification of certain signals (speech, music, etc.).
4. The semicircular canals contribute to the formation of a sense of balance in space, allow the body to take the optimal position in accordance with the movements.

Organs of balance and hearing: common diseases

There are a number of diseases of an inflammatory, non-inflammatory and infectious nature that affect the organs responsible for the formation of hearing and maintaining orientation in space. Somewhat complicates the elimination of pathological manifestations as a complex structure of the ear apparatus, and the isolated nature of the location of the organs. Let's look at the main range of ailments that affect the organs of balance and hearing, and highlight the ways to treat them.

Inflammatory diseases

Among the main ailments of the presented category, it should be noted:

• otitis;
• otosclerosis;
• labyrinthitis.

These diseases often develop against the background of infectious or viral diseases that are localized in the nasopharynx.

If we talk about otitis, their main manifestation is the sensation of itching in the ear canal, the development of aching pain syndrome, and in the most advanced cases - copious excretion suppuration from the ear canal. All this is manifested by hearing loss.

Such inflammatory processes as labyrinthitis and otosclerosis are characterized by an increase in body temperature, the occurrence of severe shooting pain in the ear canal. In the case of a delayed response to the problem, the likelihood of pathological damage to the structure of the tympanic membrane increases and, as a result, complete hearing loss.

Among additional symptoms that may accompany the flow inflammatory diseases, it can be noted: dizziness, loss of the ability to focus the gaze, a drop in the quality of perception of individual sounds.

Inflamed organs of balance and hearing are treated with special ear drops, which reduce swelling, free and disinfect the ear canal. Another effective method therapy involves warming the ear under an ultraviolet lamp.

Non-inflammatory diseases

Meniere's disease is one of the most common ailments of the organs of hearing and balance. The course of the disease is accompanied by accumulation and stagnation of fluids in the cavities of the inner ear. As a result, pressure on the elements of the vestibular apparatus increases. The main signs of development are tinnitus, regular nausea and vomiting, progressive hearing loss every day.

Another type of non-inflammatory diseases is auditory receptor neuritis. The disease is latent and can lead to the gradual development of hearing loss.

As a therapy for the chronic nature of the above pathologies, most often resort to surgical intervention. To avoid such serious problems hearing hygiene, periodic visits to the doctor are extremely important.

fungal diseases

As a rule, ailments of this plan occur against the background of damage to the ear canal by spores of pathogenic fungi. In some cases, these diseases develop in response to traumatic injury fabrics.

The main complaints for fungal ailments are: constant noise and itching in the ear canal, the formation of atypical discharge from the ear. The elimination of such manifestations involves taking antifungal drugs, which are prescribed by a specialist, depending on the type of infection present.

motion sickness syndrome

The semicircular canals of the inner ear are vulnerable to significant external influences. The result of their excessive, intense irritation is the formation of motion sickness syndrome. Diseases of the nervous and vegetative system, inflammatory processes that leak inside the hearing aid. In the latter case, to eliminate discomfort, you should get rid of the manifestations of the underlying ailment. Effective Therapy, as a rule, allows you to eliminate the feeling of motion sickness that develops during the movement by car, water transport.

Vestibular training

What to do healthy person in the formation of motion sickness syndrome? The main reason for the development of the condition is maintaining a sedentary lifestyle. Regular physical exercise not only allow you to keep the muscles of the body in good shape, but also have a beneficial effect on the stability of the vestibular apparatus to increased stimuli.

People who are prone to motion sickness are recommended to do fitness, aerobics, acrobatics, long-distance running, playing sports. In the course of moving the body with a separate speed and performing movements with the body under different angles excessive excitation of the vestibular apparatus is gradually suppressed. After some time, the organs of vision, hearing and balance find an optimal balance among themselves. All this allows you to get rid of dizziness and nausea, which is the result of motion sickness.

Hearing hygiene

To prevent hearing loss, it is important to take simple hygiene measures. So, irregular cleaning of the ear canal from accumulated sulfur can cause the formation of traffic jams, which affects hearing loss. To avoid such discomfort, it is worth washing your ears periodically. soapy water. In this case, to clean the ear canal, it is recommended to use special cotton buds, since the use of solid objects for these purposes is fraught with damage to the eardrum. If the sulfur plug cannot be removed on your own, you need to sign up for the appropriate procedures with a doctor.

The organ of hearing and balance, the anatomy of which is directly related to the nasopharynx, requires timely treatment diseases such as colds, flu, measles, tonsillitis. When entering the auditory tube pathogenic microorganisms can cause not only inflammation, but also tissue damage.

Long-term presence of a person in noisy rooms, sharp sounds can affect hearing loss. If you have to work in such conditions on duty, you must protect your hearing organs with earplugs or special headphones.

Finally

So we examined the structure of the organ of hearing and balance, the mechanism of sound perception, common pathological manifestations and hygiene features. As you can see, in order to maintain health, importance should be attached to characteristic symptoms that result in hearing loss. In order to avoid unnecessary problems, it is important to undergo examinations in a timely manner and seek medical help.

The organ of hearing is a paired organ, the main function of which is the perception of sound signals and, accordingly, orientation in environment. In order for it to function correctly, it must be followed carefully and. To do this, it will be useful to study the structure and functions of the hearing organs in more detail.

The structure of the ear is very complex. It should also be taken into account that hearing is directly related to the ability to speak. Speech activity is not able to function normally without the full perception of sound vibrations.

The human hearing organ is capable of perceiving sounds in the range 16 to 20 thousand vibrations of sound waves per second. His age features suggest the following: with age, the number of perceived vibrations decreases. Elderly people can perceive the maximum 15 thousand vibrations in 1 second.

As can be seen in the figure, the hearing organ is located in the temporal bone of the skull and is divided into three sections, anatomically and functionally interconnected:

• outer ear;
• middle ear;
• inner ear.

Each section of the hearing aid has its own structural features and performs certain functions.

The structure of the human ear

outer ear

The first section consists of auricle and ear canal or auditory canal. Thanks to its shell shape, the ear shell catches sound waves like a kind of locator. The sound then enters the auditory canal. The tympanic membrane is located between the outer and middle ear.

She has the ability to vibrate, due to which all vibrations of sound are transmitted to the department. Itself Auricle is a cartilaginous tissue that is covered by the skin. You can see the structural features of the visible part of the organ of hearing in the photo below.

The main function of the outer ear is protection. The cells present in the ear canal can produce sulfur, which protects the middle, and from the ingress of dust and pathogens.

Others should also be highlighted functions of the outer ear:

• maintaining the required humidity and temperature;
• protection from environmental influences;
• receiving sound waves;
• concentration of sounds that come from different directions.

It is from the outer ear that the functionality of the hearing organs depends. Keep in mind that various diseases of the outer ear lead to inflammation of the middle, and sometimes the inner ear. Therefore, at the slightest pain, hurry to a specialist.

outer ear

Middle ear

The second division of the human hearing organ includes auditory tube and tympanic cavity located in the region of the temples. The tympanic cavity is filled with air and has a size of no more than one cubic centimeter. It has 6 walls:

1. Lateral- has the form of a dome, it contains the head of the malleus and the anvil;
2. Medial- has two holes, one of which is inserted into the stirrup;
3. rear- a small cavity protruding towards the mastoid process;
4. Front- near it is the internal carotid artery;
5. Upper- separates the cranial cavity from the tympanic cavity;
6. Lower- bottom.

auditory ossicles- Hammer, anvil and stirrup, joints are connected to each other. The middle ear also contains arteries, nerves, and lymphatics.

The main function of this department is sound conduction. Air vibrations act on the auditory ossicles and eardrum, after which sounds are transmitted to the inner ear.

In addition, it is capable of:

• adapt the acoustic apparatus to different sounds;
• maintain the auditory ossicles and the eardrum itself in good shape;
• protect your hearing from loud sounds.

The structure of the human middle ear

inner ear

This section is also called the labyrinth. It has bony labyrinth and membranous. The bone labyrinth is a small cavities and passages connected to each other, their walls are made of bones. Webbed - located in the inner part of the ossified labyrinth.

In the following departments can be distinguished:

• vestibule;
• semicircular canals (ducts);
• cochlea.

threshold- This is an ovoid cavity, which is located in the ear labyrinth in the middle. There are five holes there. It is they who lead to the channels. The opening in front is the largest and leads to the main cochlear duct. On one hole, at the exit, there is a stirrup-plate, the other has a membrane.

It should also be noted that in the region of the vestibule there is a comb that divides the cavity in two. The recess, located in the subcombial region, goes into the cochlear duct. Snail looks like a spiral and consists of bone tissue. The snail itself is very durable and reliable.

The structure of the inner ear

The functions of this department include:

• conducting sounds through the ducts;
• converting sounds into impulses, which then enter the brain;
• stabilization of balance, orientation of a person in space.

The main organs of balance are the ducts and the membranous labyrinth.. The structure of the organ makes it possible to understand where the sound source is and to navigate normally in space. The inner ear allows you to understand where the sounds come from, from which direction.

Thanks to the balance that this organ provides, a person stands, does not fall or bend over. If something goes wrong, then dizziness, bending over, uneven walking and inability to stand.

All parts of the hearing organs are interconnected. In order for this body to function properly, it is necessary to adhere to simple rules and recommendations. At the slightest discomfort, immediately go to the hospital. Don't listen to loud music and watch out. He will tell you in more detail about what the organ of hearing is - anatomy.