Question

With reference to the human ear, answer the questions.
(a) Give the technical term for the structures found in the inner ear.
(b) Name the three small bones present in the middle ear. What is the biological tam for them collectively?
(c) Name the part of the ear associated with (1) static balance (2) heating (3) dynamic balance.
(d) Name the nerve, which transmits messages from the ear to the brain.

Answer 1

(a) The inner ear consists of tubes and passages called Labyrinth, which consists of two structures namely bony labyrinth and membranous labyrinth (the technical name)

(b) The middle ear contains three ossicles (or three small bones) called malleus, incus and stapes (these are biological terms) which are attached to one another in a chain-like fashion, collectively they are known as Ear ossicles.

(c) (1) The part of the ear associated with static balance is utriculus and sacculus.

sacculus is the smaller of the two membranous sacs in the vestibule of the inner ear; it contains a specialized mechanoreceptor, maculae, for the detection of static equilibrium.

utriculus is the larger of the two membranous sacs in the vestibule of the inner ear; it contains a specialized mechanoreceptor, maculae, for the detection of static equilibrium.

(2) The part of the ear associated with the hearing is internal ear

(3) The part of the ear associated with dynamic balance is Semi-circular canals

The semicircular canals contain the receptors for dynamic equilibrium.

(d) Auditory nerve transmits messages from the ear to the brain.