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Homeostasis #5
The Ear: Structures and Functions
| Structure | Function |
|---|---|
| Pinna | Outer part of the external ear. It amplifies sound by funneling it from a large area into the narrower auditory canal. |
| Auditory Canal | Carries sound waves to the tympanic membrane. |
| Ossicles | Tiny bones that amplify and carry sound in the middle ear. |
| Tympanic Membrane (eardrum) | Receives sound waves. |
| Oval Window | Receives sound waves from the ossicles. |
| Eustachian Tube | Air-filled tube of the middle ear that equalizes pressure between the outer and middle ear. |
| Vestibule | Chamber at the base of the semicircular canals. Also associated with static equilibrium. |
| Semicircular Canals | Fluid-filled structures that provide information concerning dynamic equilibrium. |
| Cochlea | Coiled tube within the inner ear that receives sound waves and converts them into nerve impulses. |