Anatomy of the Ear

Front

Auricle (pinna)

Back

The visible part of the ear that is outside the head.

Front

Auditory Canal

Back

The tube through which sound travels to the eardrum.

Front

Ceruminous glands

Back

Glands located in the ear canal that produce cerumen (earwax).

Front

Cerumen

Back

A waxy substance produced by ceruminous glands, also known as earwax.

Front

Tympanic Membrane

Back

Also known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound waves.

Front

Auditory Ossicles

Back

The three small bones in the middle ear known as the malleus, incus, and stapes.

Front

Malleus

Back

The hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear, one of the auditory ossicles.

Front

Incus

Back

The anvil-shaped bone in the middle ear, one of the auditory ossicles.

Front

Stapes

Back

The stirrup-shaped bone in the middle ear, one of the auditory ossicles.

Front

Eustachian Tubes

Back

Tubes that connect the middle ear to the back of the nose; they help equalize pressure.