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Hearing Science Chapter 2
Anatomy and Physiology of the Conductive Auditory Mechanism
45
Audiology
Undergraduate 3
09/05/2011

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Term
Middle Ear
Definition
Hollow, air-filled cavity located medial to the tympanic membrane between the outer ear and the inner ear. It is located within the temporal bone and is where airborne sound is converted to mechanical energy.
Term
Inner Ear
Definition
Portion of the auditory and vestibular systems consisting of the cochlea, saccule, utricle, vestibule, and semicircular canals.
Term
Peripheral Auditory System
Definition
Anatonical subsystem of the human auditory system, consisting of the outer, middle, and inner ears.
Term
Central Auditory System
Definition
Subsystem of the human auditory system, consisting of the auditory pathways from the cochlear nucleus to the cerebral cortex.
Term
Outer Ear
Definition
Outermost portion of the auditory system, consisting of the auricle and the external auditory meatus.
Term
Conductive Mechanism
Definition
Functional component of the auditory system. Consisting of the outer and middle ears. Its function is to conduct sound energyfrom outside the head to be used by the sensory mechanism.
Term
Sensory Mechanism
Definition
Functional component of the auditory system, consisting of the inner ear.
Term
Temporal bone
Definition
Paired cranial bone of the skull that houses the middle and inner ear structures. It consists of four parts: the squamous portion, the mastoid portion, the petrous portion, and the tympanic portion.
Term
Air cells
Definition
Air-filled spaces in the mastoid portion of the temporal bone.
Term
Auricle
Definition
Outermost portion of the auditory system, forming a cup around the entrance to the external auditory meatus.
Term
External Auditory Meatus
Definition
Canal leading from the auricle to the tympanic membrane; approximately 25-35mm long, rather narrow,and s shaped.
Term
Tympanic Membrane
Definition
Elastic structure that separtes the outer ear from the middle ear cavity.
Term
Cerumen
Definition
Waxy lubricant designed to reduce dryness and keep the ear cancal supple and clean.
Term
Annulus
Definition
Ring of fibrous tissue on the outer edhe of the tympanic membrane.
Term
Tympanic Sulcus
Definition
Groove in the bony wall of the external auditory meatus that holds the annulus of the tympanic membrane.
Term
Pars Tensa
Definition
Largest portion of the tympanic membrane, containing numerous fibers that contribute to the taut nature of the membrane.
Term
Pars Flaccida
Definition
Small, triangular area on the superior portion of the tympanic membrane that contains few fibers and is flaccid in nature. Also called Shrapnell's membrane.
Term
Umbo
Definition
Center point of the tympanic membrane, representing the projection from the manubrium of the malleus.
Term
Cone of Light
Definition
Reflected spot of light radiating from the center to the periphery of the tympanic membrane when viewed through an otoscope.
Term
Malleus
Definition
Most lateral of the three ossicles that are suspended from the roof of the epitympanic recess; hammer shaped.
Term
Tympanic Membrane Quadrants
Definition
Anterior superior, anterior inferior, posterior superior, posterior inferior
Term
Fenestra Vestibuli
Definition
Opening in the medial wall of the middle ear cavity that contains the footplate of the stapes. Also called the oval window.
Term
Fenestra Rotunda
Definition
Opening in the medial wall of the middle ear cavity inferior to the fenesta vestibuli and covered by a thin, internal tympanic membrane. Also called round window.
Term
Promontory
Definition
Projection on the medial wall of the middle ear inferior to the fenestra rotunda that is created by a protrusion of the first turn of the cochlea.
Term
Cranial Nerve VII (7)
Definition
Facial nerve; passes through the middle ear superior to the fenestra vestibulli; innervates portions of the face and the stapedius muscle.
Term
Chorda Tympani
Definition
Branch of the facial nerve that passes through the middle ear and carries information about taste from the anterior portion of the tongue to the central nervous system.
Term
Pyramidal Eminence
Definition
Prominence on the posterior side of the middle ear cavity that contains the stapedius muscle.
Term
Stapedius Muscle
Definition
One of two middle ear muscles; the smallest striated muscle in the human body, located in the posterior portion of the middle ear cavity. It connects to the neck of the stapes and, on contraction, causes an increase in stiffness to the ossicular chain.
Term
Tensor Tympani Muscle
Definition
One of two middle ear muscles, located in the anterior portion of the middle ear cavity. it is connectd to the manubrium of the malleus and, on contraction, moves the malleus medially and anteriorly, thus stiffening the middle ear mechanism.
Term
Tympanic Cavity Proper
Definition
Main portion of the tympanic cavity. It lies between the tympanic membrane and the inner ear and contains the ossicles. Also called the tympanum.
Term
Epitympanic Recess (attic)
Definition
Upper region of the middle ear that runs from the upper border of the tympanic membrane to the roof of the middle ear. It contains the head of the malleus and the body and short process of the incus.
Term
Auditory (Eustachian) Tube
Definition
Tube connecting the middle ear cavity to the nasopharynx. Its functions are to equalize pressure in the middle ear, provide an air supply needed for metabolism of the middle ear's tissues, and drain middle ear secretions.
Term
Ossicles (Ossicular Chain)
Definition
Three small bones-- the malleus, the incus and the stapes-- that cross the middle ear cavity and transmit vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear mechanism.
Term
Incus
Definition
Middle of the three ossicles that are suspended from the roof of the epitympanic recess; anvil shaped.
Term
Stapes
Definition
Most medial of the three ossicles that are suspended from the roof of the epitympanic recess; stirrup shaped.
Term
Cranial Nerve V
Definition
Trigeminal nerve; innervates the tensor tympani muscle as well as other muscles.
Term
Labyrinthine Wall
Definition
Medial wall of the middle ear that that separates it from the inner ear.
Term
Perilymph
Definition
Fluid found in the osseous labyrinth of the inner ear.
Term
Impedance
Definition
Overall opposition to the flow of energy by a medium; consists of mass, stiffness, and resistance.
Term
Middle Ear Transformer
Definition
Combined factors of areal ratio, the lever action of the malleus and incus, and the curved-membrane buckling mechanism of the tympanic membrane that serve as an impedance-matching mechanism between the outside air and the dense fluid of the inner ear.
Term
Condensation Effect (Areal Ratio)
Definition
Difference in the effective areas of the tympanic membrane and the footplate of the stapes. The force is held contant while the area is reduced, resulting in an increase in pressure.
Term
Curved-Membrane Buckling Mechanism
Definition
Greater displacement of the tympanic membrane than of the manubrium of the malleus, resulting in a transfer of force. This results from the edges of the tympanic membrane being firmly attached to the annulus and the inertia of the manubrium.
Term
Ostium
Definition
Opening to a body cavity; specifically, the nasopharyngeal opening of the eustachian tube.
Term
Acoustic Reflex
Definition
Contraction of the stapedius muscle in response to external sounds.
Term
Conductive Hearing Loss
Definition
Hearing loss resulting from impairment to any part of the conductive auditory mechanism.
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