Outer Ear

The external ear consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal with muscles and ligaments.

The auricle is an elastic cartilage covered with skin. It collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal. The shape of the auricle is unique to each person.

The external auditory canal is a narrow, winding canal about 2.5 cm long that connects the pinna and the eardrum. It is lined with skin that contains glands that produce earwax. This wax lubricates the skin of the ear canal and protects it from infections.

The outer ear also contains muscles that allow movement of the pinna and ligaments that connect the cartilage to the skull. Thanks to these structures, the auricle is directed towards the source of sound.

Thus, the outer ear has the important function of collecting and transmitting sound waves to the inner ear.

The outer ear is the pinna, the external auditory canal, as well as the muscles and ligaments that are located in this area. The pinna is the most visible part of the ear and serves the function of protecting the inner ear from external influences. The external auditory canal connects the pinna of the ear to the eardrum, where the middle ear is located.

The auricle consists of cartilage tissue, which has a complex shape and can be changed depending on the age and gender of the person. In addition, the auricle contains muscles and ligaments that are responsible for its mobility and shape. The muscles in the pinna can contract and relax, allowing a person to control the direction of the sound they hear.

The external auditory canal also has muscles and ligaments. They are responsible for the movement of the eardrum and the auditory ossicles, which transmit sound waves from the outer ear to the middle ear. In addition, the muscles of the external auditory canal play an important role in protecting the inner ear from water, dust and other contaminants.

In general, the outer ear is an important organ of hearing and plays a key role in the perception of sounds. It consists of the pinna, external auditory canal, muscles and ligaments that work together to transmit sound waves to the middle ear.

External ear

External ear or External ear - external auditory canal, auricle with muscle, fimbriae and nearby structures.

It is the final part of the common passage connecting the ear with the environment. Hearing functions are also carried out through the external meatus - it is able to conduct sound into the auditory tube and counteract loud sounds and water pressure. The outer ear, even if the surface layer is opened, anatomically and histologically remains an integral anatomical formation. The main purpose of the outer ear is the role of a vibration axis. The fact that it functions as the last part of the baroacoustic system is evidenced by the presence of the external auditory canal and the external auricle, which are the organ of hydroacoustic perception of sound and the synchronizing part of the hearing organ. The cavity of the passage has a depth of about 25 mm, the hole in the tympanic membrane with a diameter of about 9 mm is limited by a thin layer of intrameatal bone. In the deep part of the passage, a mass of mucous glands is visible, forming a system of tubes near the external passage that flow into the glands of Ulysses. The outer surface of the bone tissue lining the space of the outer part of the ear canal is smooth and shiny.