The ear is the organ of hearing and balance. It has three parts: the external ear collects sound, the middle ear amplifies it through the ossicles, and the inner ear turns it into nerve signals. The inner ear also contains the vestibular system, which senses head movement and gravity.
| Location | Side of the head, with the middle and inner ear inside the temporal bone |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII); Facial nerve (CN VII); Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX, tympanic branch); Auriculotemporal and great auricular nerves; Auricular branch of the vagus |
| Blood Supply | Posterior auricular artery; Superficial temporal artery; Deep auricular and anterior tympanic arteries; Labyrinthine artery |
Detects sound and converts it into nerve impulses for hearing, and senses head position and motion to maintain balance.
Hearing loss is classed as conductive (outer or middle ear) or sensorineural (inner ear or nerve), and Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests help separate the two. Dizziness can arise from the vestibular parts of the inner ear or from the brain. Sudden one-sided sensorineural hearing loss is an emergency that benefits from early steroid treatment.
Reduced hearing from blocked sound transmission in the outer or middle ear, for example wax, otitis media, perforation or otosclerosis.
Hearing loss from damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve, commonly from ageing or noise. It is usually permanent.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
