EXPERIMENT 15

Aim - To Study the structure of the human ear with the help of models or chart and identify the various
parts.

Materials Required :-

Models or chart of the human ear.

Procedure :-

1. The model provided by the teacher is observed from all sides.

2. It is divided into three parts. Each part is observed carefully and identified.
3. The correct diagram of the human ear are drawn and proper labelling is also done with the help
of charts.

Structure of the Human Ear

1. The human car consists of three main parts :

(I)External ear,(ii) Middle ear and (iii) Internal ear.

(I) The External ear:- It consists of the pinna made of cartilage and auditory canal leading
to the eardrum or tympanic membrane.
(II) The Middle ear:- It contains the three ear bones or ossicles called malleus, incus and
stapes. Malleus is hammer-shaped, incus is shaped like an anvil and stapes is stirrup
shaped. An eustachian tube connects the cavity of the middle ear with the throat. The
Stirrup or stapes fits on the oval window, a membrane covered opening leading to the
inner ear. A second opening called round window also covered by a thin membrane
connects the middle ear to the inner ear.

(iii) The Internal ear: It has a membranous labyrinth which has three parts-vestibule, cochlea

and semicircular canals. The membranous labyrinth is present in a bony labyrinth. A fluid

called perilymph is present around the membranous labyrinth and endolymph is present

inside it.

The cochlea has three parallel canals separated by membranes.

* The middle canal has the organ of Corti which is the main organ of hearing .

* The semicircular canals present at right angles to each other help in balancing. One end of cach

canal forms an ampulla.

* The bases of the canals are joined to the cochlea with the help of two parts called utriculus and

sacculus.
 Working of the Ear:-

The pinna collects the sound vibrations directs them to the tympanum which vibrates. The ear ossicles
also vibrate. The eustachian tube equalises air pressure on either side of the eardrum allowing it to
vibrate. The stirrup which is the ear bone in contact with the cochlea, through the oval window sets the
fluid in the cochlea into vibration. The sensory cells present there are stimulated and impulses are
transmitted to the brain with the help of the auditory nerve. The ear also helps in balancing with the
help of the semicircular canals.