Anatomy and Physiology of OUTER Ear

            ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF OUTER EAR

Hearing is one of the major sense and is important for communication . The function of ear is to convert physical vibration into an encoded nervous impulse. The ears are praised organ , one on each side of the head with organ itself , which is technically the Temporal Bones. The conductive mechanism is divided into three parts , An OUTER EAR , MIDDLE AND INNER EAR .

OUTER EAR   

Outer ear is divided into two parts : PINNA and EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL

PINNA :

The Pinna is that part which protudes from the side of the skull made of cartilage covered by skin , collects sound and channels it into the ear sounds that comes from in front more than from behind and is helpful in localizing sounds.

FUNCTION OF PINNA :

• The visible portion that is commonly refferedto as "the ear".
• Help localize sound sources.
• Each individual pinna creates a distinctive imprint on the acoustic wave travelling into the Auditory canal. 

EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL 

The ear canal is about 4cm long and consist of an Outer and inner part . The outer portion  is lined with Hairy skin containing sweat glands and oily SEBACEOUS glands wich together from ear wax.

FUNCTION OF EAR DRUM :

• Protects the ear drum.
• Resonator provides about 10dB of gain to the eardrum at around 3,300Hz (Hetz).

CERUMEN

THE PURPOSE OF WAX :

• Repel water.
• Trap dust , sand particles and other debris .
• Cleanse ear canal.
• Antibiotics , Antiviral , Antifungal properties.
• Mosturize epithelium in ear canal.
• Discourages insects.