The structure of the ear is quite complex. Thanks to the ears, a person can perceive sound vibrations; through special nerve endings they enter the brain, where they are transformed into sound images. A person is able to perceive sound, the minimum frequency of which is 16 Hertz. The maximum threshold of perception is sound waves with a frequency of no more than 20 thousand Hertz.

The human ear consists of three parts:

• external;
• average;
• internal.

Each of them performs its own function in transmitting sound. Ears also help maintain balance. This is a paired organ that is located in the thickness temporal bone cranium. From the outside we can only see the auricle. It is thanks to her that all the sounds that surround us are perceived.

Human outer ear

This part of the ear consists of the external auditory canal and auricle. The auricle is a very elastic and elastic cartilage that is covered with skin. The lobe is located at the bottom of the shell and there is absolutely no cartilage tissue, but only fat. It is covered with skin, which is also located on the cartilage.

The main elements of the auricle are the tragus and antitragus, the helix, its stalk and the antihelix. Its main function is to receive various sound vibrations and transmit them further to the middle ear, and then to the inner ear of a person and then to the brain. With this complex process people can hear. Thanks to the special curls of the auricle, sound is perceived in the form in which it was originally produced. Next, the waves enter the inner part of the shell, that is, the external auditory canal.

The external auditory canal is lined with skin covered with a huge number of sebaceous and sulfur glands. They secrete a secret that helps protect human ear from various kinds mechanical, infectious, thermal and chemical influences.

The auditory canal ends at the eardrum. It is a barrier that separates the other two parts of the human ear. When the auricle picks up sound waves, they begin to hit the eardrum and thereby cause it to vibrate. This is how the signal enters the middle ear.

Anatomy of the middle ear

The middle ear is small in size and consists of a tiny tympanic cavity. Its volume is only one cubic centimeter. Inside the cavity are three important bones. They are called the malleus, stapes and incus. The hammer has a tiny handle, with its help it communicates with the eardrum. Its head connects to the anvil, which is connected to the stapes. The stirrup closes the oval window into the inner ear. With the help of these three bones, the smallest in the entire skeleton, sound signals are transmitted from the eardrum to the cochlea in the inner ear. These elements slightly enhance the sound so that it sounds clearer and richer.

The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. Main function of this pipe is to maintain balance between atmospheric pressure and those that arise in the tympanic cavity. This allows sounds to be transmitted more accurately.

Inner part of the human ear

The structure of the human inner ear is the most complex in the entire hearing system, and this department plays the most important role. It is located in the petrous part of the temporal bone. The bony labyrinth consists of the vestibule, cochlea and semicircular canals. Small cavity irregular shape is a vestibule. Its lateral wall has two windows. One is oval in shape, opens into the vestibule, and the second, having round shape, into the spiral canal of the cochlea.

The snail itself, which is a spiral-shaped tube, is 3 cm long and 1 cm wide. Its internal part is filled with liquid. Hair cells are found on the walls of the cochlea hypersensitivity. They may have the form of cylinders or cones.

The inner ear includes the semicircular canals. Often in the medical literature you can find another name for them - balance organs. They are three tubes, bent in the shape of an arc, and begin and end in the uterus. They are located in three planes, their width is 2 mm. The channels have names:

• sagittal;
• frontal;
• horizontal.

The vestibule and canals are part of the vestibular apparatus, which allows us to maintain balance and determine the position of the body in space. Hair cells are immersed in the fluid located in the semicircular canals. With the slightest movement of the body or head, the liquid moves, pressing on the hairs, due to which impulses are formed at the endings of the vestibular nerve, which instantly enter the brain.

Clinical anatomy of sound production

The sound energy that enters the inner ear and is limited by the wall of the bony cochlea and the main membrane begins to be converted into impulses. Fibers are characterized by resonant frequencies and lengths. The shortest waves have 20,000 Hz, and the longest ones have 16 Hz. Therefore, each hair cell is tuned to a specific frequency. There is a certain peculiarity in the fact that low frequencies the cells of the upper part of the cochlea are tuned, and the cells of the lower part are tuned to high ones.

Sound vibrations travel instantly. This is facilitated by the structural features of the human ear. The result is hydrostatic pressure. It causes the covering plate of the organ of Corti, located in the spiral canal of the inner ear, to shift, causing the stereocilia filaments, which give the name to hair cells, to begin to deform. They are excited and transmit information using primary sensory neurons. Ionic composition of endolymph and perilymph, special liquids in the organ of Corti, forms a potential difference that reaches 0.15 V. Thanks to this, we can hear even small sound vibrations.

Hair cells have close connection with nerve endings that make up the auditory nerve. Thanks to this, sound waves are converted into electrical impulses and then transmitted to the temporal zone of the cerebral cortex. The auditory nerve contains thousands of thin nerve fibers. Each of them departs from a certain part of the cochlea of ​​the inner ear and thereby transmits a certain audio frequency. Each of the 10,000 fibers of the auditory nerve tries to transmit to the central nervous system its impulse, and they all merge into one powerful signal.

The main function of the inner ear is to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical ones. The brain can only perceive them. With the help of our hearing aid We perceive various types of sound information.

The brain processes and analyzes all these vibrations. It is in it that our sound ideas and images are created. Playing music or a remembered voice can only be displayed because our brain has specific centers that allow us to analyze the information received. Damage to the ear canal, eardrum, cochlea, or any other part of the hearing organ can result in loss of the ability to hear sounds. Therefore, even with minor changes in the perception of sound signals, you need to contact an ENT specialist to determine possible pathology. Only he will give qualified advice and prescribe correct treatment.

Causes of sound perception disorders

The anatomy of the human ear determines its functions. It is the organ of hearing and balance. Hearing is formed in humans at birth. A child who becomes deaf in childhood loses speech ability. People suffering from deafness and hard of hearing, although they can perceive external sound information by the movement of the interlocutor’s lips, do not capture the emotions conveyed by words. Lack of hearing negatively affects vestibular apparatus, it becomes more difficult for a person to navigate in space, since he is not able to perceive changes that the sound warns about: for example, the approach of a car.

Weakening or total loss hearing abilities can be caused by the following reasons:

• wax accumulated in the ear canal;
• damage to receptors and disturbances in the functioning of the inner ear, in which problems arise in the transmission of nerve impulses to the cerebral cortex;
• inflammatory processes;
• excessively loud sounds and incessant noise;
• non-inflammatory ailments, such as otosclerosis (hereditary pathology), neuritis of the vestibulocochlear nerve, Meniere's disease, etc.;
• fungal diseases hearing organs;
• traumatic injuries;
• foreign bodies in the ear.

Inflammatory processes are often accompanied by severe pain. When they spread to the internal part, the auditory receptors are affected, which can result in deafness.

The process of cognition and sound perception of the world is carried out using the senses. We receive most of the information through vision and hearing. How the human ear works has been known for a long time, but it is not yet entirely clear how exactly sounds of different pitch and strength are recognized.

The auditory analyzer works from birth, although the structure of the infant ear is somewhat different. When the sound is loud enough, newborns experience without conditioned reflex, which is recognized by an increase in heart rate, increased breathing, and a temporary stop in sucking.

By two months of life, a conditioned reflex is formed. After the third month of life, a person can already recognize sounds that are different in timbre and pitch. By the age of one, the child distinguishes words by rhythmic contour and intonation, and by the age of three is able to distinguish the sounds of speech.

What does a hearing analyzer consist of?

Vertebrates hear using paired organ- ears, inner part which is located in the temporal bones of the skull. Two ears are necessary not only to hear better, but also to help determine where the sound is coming from.

There are several explanations for this: the ear that is closer to the source picks up sound more strongly than the other; the near ear transmits information to the brain faster; sound vibrations reach the perceiving organ in different phases. What does the ear consist of and how does it provide sound perception and sound transmission?

Analyzers are called complex mechanisms, with the help of which information is collected and processed. Analyzers consist of three parts. The receptor department perceives irritation with the help of nerve endings. The conductor transmits the sound impulse to the central nervous system through nerve fibers.

The central section is located in the cortex, and this is where a specific sensation is formed. The structure of the human ear is complex, and if the function of at least one section is disrupted, the operation of the entire analyzer stops.

Structure of the human ear

The structure of the ear is the same in almost all mammals. The only difference is in the number of curls of the cochlea and the limits of sensitivity. The human ear consists of 3 sections connected in series:

• outer ear;
• middle ear;
• inner ear.

An analogy can be drawn: the outer ear is a receiver that perceives sound, the middle part is an amplifier, and the human inner ear functions as a transmitter. The outer and middle ears are necessary for conducting sound waves to the receptor section of the analyzer, and the human inner ear contains cells that perceive mechanical vibrations.

Outer ear

The structure of the outer ear is represented by two areas:

• auricle (visible outer part);
• auditory canal.

The task of the auricle is to catch the sound and determine where it comes from. In animals (cats, dogs), the shell is mobile; such a device in the ear facilitates sound perception. In humans, the muscle that causes the movement of the shell has atrophied.

The shell is a rather fragile formation, since it consists of cartilage. Anatomically, the lobe, tragus and antitragus, helix and its legs, and antihelix are distinguished. The structure of the auricle, namely its folds, helps to detect where the sound is localized, as they distort the wave.

Individually shaped auricle

The external auditory canal is 2.5 cm long and 0.9 cm wide. The canal begins with cartilaginous tissue (which continues from the auricle) and ends. The canal is covered with skin, where the sweat glands have changed and began to secrete earwax.

It is needed to protect against infection and the accumulation of contaminants, such as dust. Normally, sulfur comes out when chewing.

The eardrum separates the external canal and the middle ear. This is a membrane that does not allow air or water to enter the organ and is sensitive to the slightest air fluctuations. Thus, it is necessary to protect the inside of the ear and transmit sound. In an adult it is oval, and in a child it is round.

The sound wave reaches the eardrum and causes it to shift. For a person to perceive different frequencies, a membrane movement equal in size to the diameter of a hydrogen atom is sufficient.

Middle ear

In the wall of the human middle ear there are two holes, closed by a membrane, that lead into the inner ear. They are called oval and round windows. Oval window vibrates due to the impacts of the auditory ossicle, the round one is necessary for the vibration to be transmitted in a closed space.

The tympanic cavity is only about 1 cm3. This is enough to accommodate the auditory ossicles - the malleus, incus and stirrup. The sound causes the eardrum to move, which causes the hammer to move, which moves the stapes through the incus.

The functions of the middle ear are not limited to the transmission of vibrations from the external to the internal canal during movement auditory ossicles The sound is amplified 20 times due to the contact of the base of the stapes with the membrane of the oval window.

The structure of the middle ear also requires the presence of muscles that will control the auditory ossicles. These muscles are the smallest in the human body, but they are capable of ensuring that the organ adapts to the simultaneous perception of different frequencies of sounds.

From the middle ear there is an outlet into the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube. It is about 3.5 cm long and 2 mm wide. Its upper part is in the tympanic cavity, the lower part (pharyngeal mouth) is near hard palate. The pipe is necessary to ensure equal pressure on both sides of the membrane, which is necessary for its integrity. The walls of the tube are closed and expand with the movement of the pharyngeal muscles.

At different pressure Ears feel stuffy, as if they are under water, and yawning occurs as a reflex. Swallowing or strong exhalation through the nose with pinched nostrils will help equalize the pressure.

The eardrum may be ruptured due to pressure changes

Anatomy of the middle ear childhood somewhat different. In children, there is a gap in the middle ear through which infection easily penetrates into the brain, causing inflammation of the membranes. With age, this gap closes. In children, the hearing aid is wider and shorter, located horizontally, so they often develop complications of ENT pathologies.

For example, when there is a sore throat, bacteria travel through the auditory tube to the middle ear and cause otitis media. Often the disease becomes chronic.

Inner ear

The structure of the inner ear is extremely complex. This anatomical region is localized in the temporal bone. It consists of two complex structures called labyrinths: bony and membranous. The second labyrinth is smaller and located inside the first. Between them there is perilymph. Inside the membranous labyrinth there is also a liquid - endolymph.

The labyrinth contains the vestibular apparatus. Therefore, the anatomy of the inner ear not only allows us to perceive sound, but also controls our balance. The cochlea is a spirally twisted canal consisting of 2.7 turns. It is divided into 2 parts by a membrane. This membranous septum contains more than 24 thousand elastic fibers that move from a sound of a certain pitch.

The fibers on the wall of the cochlea are distributed unevenly, which helps to better detect sounds. On the septum is the organ of Corti, which senses sound from string fibers using hair cells. Here mechanical vibrations are transformed into a nerve impulse.

How does sound perception occur?

Sound waves reach the outer concha and are transmitted to the outer ear, where they cause the eardrum to shift. These vibrations are amplified by the auditory ossicles and transmitted to the membrane of the middle window. In the inner ear, vibrations provoke the movement of perilymph.

If the vibrations are quite strong, then they reach the endolymph, which, in turn, provokes irritation of the hair cells (receptors) of the organ of Corti. Sounds of different pitches move fluid in different directions, which is detected by nerve cells. They convert mechanical vibrations into a nerve impulse, which reaches the temporal lobe of the cortex through the auditory nerve.

A sound wave entering the ear is converted into a nerve impulse

The physiology of sound perception is difficult to study, since sound causes a slight displacement of the membrane, fluid vibrations are very small, and the anatomical region itself is small and located in the capsule of the labyrinth.

The anatomy of the human ear allows it to detect waves from 16 to 20 thousand vibrations per second. This is not much compared to other animals. For example, a cat perceives ultrasound and is able to detect up to 70 thousand vibrations per second. With age, a person's sound perception deteriorates.

Thus, a thirty-five-year-old person can perceive sound no higher than 14 thousand Hz, and those over 60 years old can only perceive up to 1 thousand vibrations per second.

Ear diseases

The pathological process occurring in the ears can be inflammatory, non-inflammatory, traumatic or fungal. Non-inflammatory diseases include otosclerosis, vestibular neuritis, Meniere's disease.

Otosclerosis develops as a result pathological growth tissues, due to which the auditory ossicles lose mobility and deafness occurs. Most often, the disease begins during puberty and by the age of 30 a person has severe symptoms.

Meniere's disease develops due to the accumulation of fluid in a person's inner ear. Signs of pathology: nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, dizziness, difficulties with coordination. Vestibular neuritis may develop.

This pathology, if it occurs in isolation, does not cause hearing impairment, however, it can provoke nausea, dizziness, vomiting, tremor, headache, convulsions. Most often noted.

Depending on the location of the inflammation, there are:

• otitis externa;
• otitis media;
• internal otitis;
• labyrinthitis.

Occur as a result of the development of infection.

If otitis media is ignored, the auditory nerve is affected, which can lead to irreversible deafness

Hearing decreases as a result of the formation of plugs in the outer ear. Normally, sulfur is excreted on its own, but if its production is increased or its viscosity changes, it can accumulate and block the movement of the eardrum.

Diseases of a traumatic nature include damage to the auricle due to bruises, presence in the ear canal foreign bodies, deformation of the eardrum, burns, acoustic trauma, vibration trauma.

There are many reasons why hearing loss can occur. It may occur as a result of a violation of sound perception or sound transmission. In most cases, medicine can restore hearing. Conducted drug therapy, physiotherapy, surgical treatment.

Doctors are able to replace the auditory ossicles or eardrum with synthetic ones, and install an electrode in the human inner ear that will transmit vibrations to the brain. But if hair cells are damaged as a result of pathology, then hearing cannot be restored.

The structure of the human ear is complex and the appearance negative factor can impair hearing or lead to complete deafness. Therefore, a person must maintain hearing hygiene and prevent the development of infectious diseases.

Ear – paired ( right and left), a symmetrical, complex organ of balance and hearing.

Anatomically, the ear is divided into three parts.
#1. Outer ear It is represented by the external auditory canal, the length of which is 30 mm, as well as the auricle, the basis of which is elastic cartilage 1 mm thick. On top, the cartilage is covered with perichondrium and skin. Bottom part shells - lobe. It is devoid of cartilage and is formed by fatty tissue, which is also covered with skin. Almost every little girl gets a piercing by her parents ( in other words - piercing) the lobes of each ear and decorate them with earrings. Ears should be pierced using aseptic rules to avoid local and general infection.

The free edge of the ear shell forms a curl. Parallel to the helix is ​​the antihelix, anterior to which is the cavity of the concha. In the ear, there is also a distinction between the tragus and the antitragus. The auricle is attached to the mastoid and zygomatic processes, as well as the temporal bone with the help of muscles and ligaments. The human ear is inactive due to the fact that the muscles that rotate it are practically atrophied. The entrance to the outer ear is covered with hair and contains sebaceous glands. The shape of the ears, like fingerprints, is individual for all people.

The auditory canal connects the auricle and the eardrum. In adults it is longer and narrower, and in children it is shorter and wider. That is why in early childhood Otitis is more common. The skin of the ear canal contains sulfur and sebaceous glands.

#2. Middle ear represented by the tympanic cavity, which is located in the temporal bone. It contains the smallest auditory ossicles in the human body: the malleus, stapes and incus. With their help, sound is transmitted to the inner ear. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx;

#3. Inner ear the most complex in its structure of all parts. It communicates with the middle ear through a round and oval window. Another name for the inner ear is the membranous labyrinth. It is immersed inside the bony labyrinth. It includes:
the cochlea is the direct organ of hearing;
vestibule and semicircular tubules - responsible for acceleration, body position in space and balance.

Basic functions of the ear

Perceives sound vibrations;
ensures balance and position of the human body in space.

Embryonic development of the ear

Starting from the 4th week embryonic development, the rudiments of the inner ear are formed. Initially it is represented by a limited section of the ectoderm. The inner ear is fully formed by the 9th week of intrauterine life. The middle and outer ears are formed from the gill slits, starting from the 5th week. The newborn has a fully formed tympanic cavity, the lumen of which is filled with myxoid tissue. It dissolves only by the 6th month of a child’s life and is a good breeding ground for bacteria.

Ear diseases

Among the common pathologies of the ear are: injuries ( barotrauma, acoustic trauma, etc.), congenital malformations, diseases ( otitis, labyrinthitis, etc.).

#1. Barotrauma– damage to the paranasal sinuses of the ear or Eustachian tube associated with changes in ambient pressure. Causes: flying on an airplane, diving, etc. At the time of injury, severe pain, stuffiness and sensation strong blow. Immediately there is a decrease in hearing, ringing and noise in the ears. A ruptured eardrum is accompanied by bleeding from the ear canal;

#2. Congenital anomalies ear infections occur in the first 4 months of intrauterine development due to genetic defects. Anomalies of the ear are often combined with malformations of the face and skull. Frequent pathologies: absence of ears, macrotia - excessive big ears, microtia – very small ears. Pathologies of the development of the middle ear include: underdevelopment of the auditory ossicles, fusion of the inner ear, etc.;

#3. The most common ear disease between 2 and 8 years of age is otitis media. This is due to the anatomical features of the ear. About ear pain small child you can guess if you press on the tragus. Usually the child begins to worry and cry. Characteristic signs diseases: shooting pain that can radiate to the head and intensify when swallowing or sneezing. Colds make you sick. As a rule, otitis media is combined with rhinitis and tonsillitis;

#4. Labyrinthitis– internal otitis media. Occurs due to incompletely treated otitis media. Sometimes the infection “rises” from teeth affected by caries through hematogenous means. Symptoms of the disease: hearing loss, nystagmus ( involuntary movement eyeball ) on the affected side, nausea, tinnitus, etc.

Diagnostics

Determining the disease begins with a survey and examination of the patient by a doctor. During examination of the auditory canal in adults, the concha of the ear is pulled back and up, and in children - back and down. Retraction straightens the auditory canal and makes it possible to examine it with the help of the auditory funnel to the bony part. During palpation, the doctor presses on the tragus, the cause of pain in which indicates inflammation of the middle ear. In addition, the doctor pays attention to regional lymph nodes, which are not normally detected. The eardrum is examined using an otoscope.

Instrumental methods research:
X-ray of the temporal bone has great value for diagnosing various pathological formations middle and inner ear;
MRI allows you to obtain more detailed information about the pathology of the ear; it is especially often used to diagnose tumor and inflammatory changes.

Treatment

An otolaryngologist treats diseases of the ears, as well as nose and throat.
Most common dosage form, used to treat ear diseases, are drops. With their help, diseases of the outer and middle ear are treated locally. If pathological process affected the inner ear, as well as nearby organs ( nose, throat, etc.), then are assigned medicines general action (antibiotics, painkillers, etc.). In some advanced cases For example, for fistula labyrinthitis, surgical intervention is performed.

How to remove wax plug? Sulfur – important substance secreted by the glands of the outer ear. She performs protective function, always standing out towards the external auditory canal. As a rule, wax plugs occur in people who clean their ears too often or, conversely, very rarely. Most common symptom cerumen plug - ear congestion. In addition, some people, if they have sulfur plugs ears itch. You can try to remove wax plug at home. To do this, you need to drip a warm solution of hydrogen peroxide into your ear. The sulfur plug will dissolve and the hearing will be restored. In a clinic, the ear is washed warm water using a Janet syringe.

Ear transplant

A person who has lost an ear, for example, in a car accident, has a chance to regain a new, identical organ. Currently, this is achieved through the cultivation of auricles. For the first time, an ear was grown in American laboratories. To grow a new organ, a mouse was required, into the back of which ear cartilage cells were injected. The body successfully accepted the implant grown in this way. Currently, hundreds of similar operations are performed in the United States. A cheaper option that replaces the auricle is prosthetics. The artificial ear prosthesis is made of hypoallergenic silicone. Similar operations that restore normal image man's face after emergency situations are carried out in all countries of the world. For babies with complete absence ears, doctors and biomedical scientists at Cornell are creating auricles using injection molds and 3-D printing. At congenital pathology In the middle ear, in particular in the absence or underdevelopment of the auditory ossicles, a bone conduction hearing aid is implanted.

Prevention of ear diseases

To prevent water from entering before bathing, it is necessary to use special ear swabs;
When bathing your child, avoid getting wet by keeping your head above the water. After feeding, you should hold the baby upright for 5 - 10 minutes so that air comes out and food does not get into the nasopharynx;
to avoid the formation of sulfur plugs, as well as mechanical injury It is not recommended to clean your ears frequently using sharp objects. The ear canal should be cleaned using warm water, soap using fingers;
Activities that could allow a foreign body to enter the ear should be avoided.

The structure of the human ear has several sections, each of which performs its own functions. The quality of perception by the ears of external sound vibrations depends on the coordinated work of all components. The hearing organs of the most famous composers, singers and dancers have their own structural features.

They owe part of their talent to this organ, the ear. And any disruption of the ear causes diseases, which in severe cases lead to hearing loss. Therefore, everyone should have basic knowledge of the structure of the ear, ear cavity, and ear canals in order to know what consequences can occur if you are careless about your health.

Features of the structure of the outer ear

The complex vestibular-auditory organ - the human ear - is not only capable of capturing all kinds of sound vibrations (from twenty meters to two centimeters), but also keeps the body in a state of balance.

Sound entering the auricle passes through a kind of ear canal, lined with sulfur and sebaceous glands, and collides with the eardrum. It begins to vibrate and transmit the sound wave further to the middle ear.

It can be concluded that sound is first conducted through the ear and then perceived. All the main functional components of the hearing organ are involved in these processes.

The outer ear consists of the pinna and the auditory canal. This organ ends with the eardrum. It blocks the channel and catches sound waves. Nature has provided a special shape for the organ, which is the first to capture sound, and made it in the form of a funnel. Inside the channel through which sound travels there are special glands. They perform the function of synthesizing sulfur and sebum. That's what they called them - sulfur and sebaceous.

Often, excess sulfur accumulates in the membranous cartilaginous region and it clogs the passage, causing discomfort. But without wax, water, dirt, pathogenic bacteria, fungus. Therefore, the acid reaction and fat of these glands are simply necessary as antiseptics.

Increased sulfur production and a very narrow ear canal can lead to the formation of accumulations, which sometimes have to be removed in a medical institution to restore sound perception. After all this product, coming close to the eardrum, can cause inflammation of the middle ear.

Functions of the middle ear

In the thickness of the temporal bone there are air cavities. Here is located auditory tube, tympanic cavity, mastoid and bone cells. These organs help to capture the pitch and timbre of sound. Even the smallest vibrations are perceived and accommodated in the middle ear.

In the cavity between the eardrum and the beginning of the inner ear there is a space filled with air. It resembles the shape of a prism. It has three main bones, as the diagram shows:

• hammer;
• anvil;
• stapes.

They are mobile due to the joints and the smallest muscles in the body that are connected to each other. Their main function is to amplify the sound wave, which encounters resistance from the membrane, and transmit vibrations to the inner ear, the cavity of which is filled with liquid. To retain sound in the tympanic cavity, a certain air pressure is required. This function is performed by the Eustachian tube, which is connected at one end to the nasopharynx.

At the bottom of this organ there are movable cilia. They move towards the nasopharynx. When a person swallows food or yawns, air enters precisely this cavity, creating the necessary pressure.

The acoustic quality of the middle ear is improved by the mastoid process.

Labyrinths of the inner ear

Not in vain this department The human hearing aid has this name. Indeed, in its shape it is very reminiscent of a twisted labyrinth or a snail’s house, the length of which is about 32 centimeters. This is the only cavity in the ear filled with lymphatic fluid.

Of all the components of the inner ear (vestibule, cochlea and semicircular canals), the cochlea plays the main role in the perception of sound waves. The vibration from the eardrum, which is captured and transmitted by the stapes, reaches the membrane located in the vestibule. At the same time, the liquid inside the evidence begins to oscillate. They go towards the organ of hearing itself. It is called the Corti or spiral section.

Here the vibration of the lymphatic fluid is converted into an electrical impulse. The nerves then carry this signal to the brain. Sound waves must transmit pressure through a liquid. And it's not that simple. Therefore, the membrane of the vestibule window has a flexible shape. It bulges out, creating recoil.

The snail's labyrinth is wrapped not only from the outside, but also from the outside inside has the same shape. It turns out to be a labyrinth within a labyrinth. Between the walls of the outer layer there is perilymph, and in the inner layer there is endolymph. The ion composition of these liquids differs. This feature is the basis for the formation of potential difference. It is 0.16 W. Low impulses force nerve cells be excited and transmit a sound wave.

Nerve or hair cells of the organ of Corti get their name because of the multiple hairs, of which there are about twenty thousand. Their length is different. Those closer to the base are short and have a resonant frequency of about 20,000 Hz. And the longest ones are at the top of the spiral with a frequency of 16 Hz. This is where the secret of perception lies different people various frequencies. These hairs can die, like all living things, then a person stops perceiving certain frequencies.

The hair cells that make up the nerve fibers (about ten thousand) intertwine and form the auditory nerve. Through it, impulses are transmitted to the temporal cortex of the brain. Low frequency sounds come from the top of the cochlea, and high frequency sounds come from the base.

We can conclude that the inner ear performs its main function by transmitting mechanical vibrations into electrical ones. After all, only this type impulses will be received by the cerebral cortex.

The correctness and quality of sound information directly depends on anatomical features structure of the hearing organ.

Every person who takes good care of their health can prolong the wonderful perception of the sounds and colors of the surrounding world for a long time.

Hearing is one of the important sense organs. It is with its help that we perceive the slightest changes in the world around us, hear alarms, warning of danger. very important for all living organisms, although there are those that do without it.

In humans, the auditory analyzer includes the outer, middle, and from them auditory nerve information goes to the brain, where it is processed. In the article we will dwell in more detail on the structure, functions and diseases of the external ear.

Structure of the outer ear

The human ear consists of several sections:

• External.
• Middle ear.
• Internal.

The outer ear includes:

Starting with the most primitive vertebrates, which developed hearing, the structure of the ear gradually became more complex. This is due to general increase animal organizations. The external ear first appears in mammals. In nature, there are some species of birds with ears, for example, the long-eared owl.

Auricle

The human outer ear begins with the auricle. It consists almost entirely of cartilage tissue about 1 mm thick. It does not have cartilage in its structure; it only consists of adipose tissue and is covered with skin.

The outer ear is concave with a curl at the edge. It is separated by a small depression from the internal antihelix, from which the cavity of the auricle extends towards the ear canal. At the entrance to the ear canal there is a tragus.

auditory canal

The next section, which has the outer ear, - ear canal It is a tube 2.5 centimeters long and 0.9 cm in diameter. It is based on cartilage, shaped like a groove that opens upward. In the cartilage tissue there are santorium fissures that border the salivary gland.

Cartilage is present only in the initial section of the passage, then it passes into bone tissue. The ear canal itself is slightly curved in the horizontal direction, so during examination the doctor pulls the auricle back and up in adults, and back and down in children.

Inside the ear canal there are sebaceous and sulfur glands that produce it. Its removal is facilitated by the chewing process, during which the walls of the passage vibrate.

The auditory canal ends with the eardrum, which blindly closes it.

Eardrum

Connects the outer and middle ear eardrum. It is a translucent plate with a thickness of only 0.1 mm, its area is about 60 mm 2.

The eardrum is located slightly oblique relative to the ear canal and is drawn into the cavity in the form of a funnel. It has the greatest tension in the center. Behind it is already

Features of the structure of the outer ear in infants

When a baby is born, his hearing organ is not yet fully formed, and the structure of the outer ear has a number of distinctive features:

1. The auricle is soft.
2. The earlobe and curl are practically not expressed; they are formed only by the age of 4 years.
3. There is no bone in the ear canal.
4. The walls of the passage are located almost nearby.
5. The eardrum is located horizontally.
6. The size of the eardrum is no different from that of adults, but it is much thicker and covered with mucous membrane.

The child grows, and with him the development of the hearing organ occurs. Gradually he acquires all the features of an adult auditory analyzer.

Functions of the external ear

Each section of the auditory analyzer performs its own function. The external ear is intended primarily for the following purposes:

Thus, the functions of the outer ear are quite diverse, and the auricle serves us not only for beauty.

Inflammatory process in the outer ear

Quite often colds end with an inflammatory process inside the ear. This problem is especially relevant in children, since their auditory tube is short in size, and the infection can quickly penetrate from the nasal cavity or throat into the ear.

For everyone, inflammation in the ears can manifest itself differently, it all depends on the form of the disease. There are several types:

You can only cope with the first two types at home, but internal otitis requires hospital treatment.

If we consider external otitis, it also comes in two forms:

• Limited.
• Diffuse.

The first form usually occurs as a result of inflammation hair follicle in the ear canal. In some ways, this is an ordinary boil, but only in the ear.

The diffuse form of the inflammatory process covers the entire passage.

Causes of otitis media

There are many reasons that can provoke an inflammatory process in the outer ear, but the following are common among them:

1. Bacterial infection.
2. Fungal disease.
3. Allergic problems.
4. Improper ear canal hygiene.
5. Trying to remove ear plugs on your own.
6. Entry of foreign bodies.
7. Viral nature, although this happens very rarely.

Cause of pain in the outer ear in healthy people

It is not at all necessary that if ear pain occurs, a diagnosis of otitis media is made. Often like this painful sensations may also occur for other reasons:

1. Walking in windy weather without a hat can cause ear pain. The wind puts pressure on the auricle and a bruise forms, the skin becomes bluish. This condition passes fairly quickly after entering warm room, no treatment required.
2. Swimming enthusiasts also have a frequent companion. Because during exercise, water gets into the ears and irritates the skin, which can lead to swelling or otitis externa.
3. Excessive accumulation of wax in the ear canal can cause not only a feeling of fullness, but also pain.
4. Insufficient secretion of sulfur by the sulfur glands, on the contrary, is accompanied by a feeling of dryness, which can also cause pain.

As a rule, if otitis media does not develop, everything discomfort in the ear pass on their own and additional treatment not required.

Manifestations of external otitis

If the doctor diagnoses damage to the ear canal and auricle, a diagnosis of otitis externa is made. Its manifestations may be as follows:

• The pain can vary in intensity, from completely unnoticeable to making it difficult to sleep at night.
• This condition may last for several days and then subside.
• There is a feeling of stuffiness, itching, and noise in the ears.
• During the inflammatory process, hearing acuity may decrease.
• Since otitis media is an inflammatory disease, the body temperature may rise.
• The skin around the ear may take on a reddish tint.
• When you press on the ear, the pain intensifies.

Inflammation of the outer ear should be treated by an ENT doctor. After examining the patient and determining the stage and severity of the disease, medications are prescribed.

Therapy for limited otitis media

Treatment for this form of the disease is usually surgically. After administering the anesthetic drug, the boil is opened and the pus is removed. After this procedure, the patient's condition improves significantly.

For some time you will have to take antibacterial medications in the form of drops or ointments, for example:

• "Normax".
• "Candibiotic."
• "Levomekol".
• "Celestoderm-B".

Usually, after a course of antibiotics, everything returns to normal and the patient makes a full recovery.

Therapy for diffuse otitis

Treatment of this form of the disease is carried out only conservatively. All medications are prescribed by a doctor. Typically the course includes a set of measures:

1. Taking antibacterial drops, for example, Ofloxacin, Neomycin.
2. Anti-inflammatory drops "Otipax" or "Otirelax".
3. Antihistamines (Citrine, Claritin) help relieve swelling.
4. To remove pain syndrome NPS are prescribed, for example, Diclofenac, Nurofen.
5. To increase immunity, taking vitamin-mineral complexes is indicated.

During treatment, it must be remembered that any warming procedures are contraindicated; they can only be prescribed by a doctor during the recovery stage. If all the doctor’s recommendations are followed and the full course of therapy is completed, then you can be sure that the outer ear will be healthy.

Treatment of otitis media in children

In children, the physiology is such that the inflammatory process very quickly spreads from the nasal cavity to the ear. If you notice in time that the child’s ear is bothering you, the treatment will be short and simple.

The doctor usually does not prescribe antibiotics. All therapy consists of taking antipyretic medications and painkillers. Parents can be advised not to self-medicate, but to follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Drops purchased on the recommendation of friends can only harm your child. When a baby is sick, appetite usually decreases. You can’t force him to eat; it’s better to give him more to drink so that toxins are removed from the body.

If your child gets ear infections too often, there is a reason to talk to your pediatrician about vaccination. In many countries this vaccination is already being done; it will protect the outer ear from inflammatory processes which are caused by bacteria.

Prevention of inflammatory diseases of the external ear

Any inflammation of the outer ear can be prevented. To do this, you only need to follow some simple recommendations:

If pain in the ear does not cause severe concern, this does not mean that you should not consult a doctor. Advanced inflammation can result in much more serious problems. Timely treatment will allow you to quickly cope with otitis of the external ear and relieve suffering.