Interactive Guide to Physical Examination
The ear is typically described in terms of three compartments. The external ear is comprised of the pinna, external acoustic meatus, and the external ear canal. The middle ear is comprised of the tympanic membrane and the three ossicles: the stapes, incus, and malleus. The inner ear is composed of the cochlea and cranial nerve VIII, the acoustic nerve. The external and middle ear help to localize and interpret sound, while the inner ear maintains equilibrium and is responsible for the sensorineural phase of hearing. Though the function of the inner ear may be evaluated through specific examination techniques, this portion of the module will focus on the external and middle ear and its structures which are more amenable to direct examination.
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Click on the interactive icon to review pertinent ear anatomy. |
