STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF PARTS OF HUMAN EAR

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF PARTS OF HUMAN EAR.

The Mammalian Ear

The mammalian ear performs two major functions:

Hearing and detecting changes in the positions of the body to bring about balance and posture.

The ear is divided into three sections.

The Outer Ear

This consists of:

An outer flap, the pinna which is made up of cartilage.
The function of the pinna is to catch and direct sounds.
The external auditory canal is a tube through which sound travel.
The lining of the tube secretes wax, which traps dust particles and microorganisms.
The tympanum is a membrane stretching across the inner end of the external auditory canal.
The tympanum vibrates when it is hit by sound waves.