Describe the structure and function of various parts of human ear.

a)Pinna- It is large and funnel shaped to collect and concentrate sound waves to the external auditory meatus /canal/ tube;
b)Auditory canal;
-It is tubular to direct sound waves into the ear drum/tympanic membrane;
-It also has hairs to trap solid particles preventing them from entering the ear;
-It has wax secreting cells which secrete wax that traps dust and prevents entry of solid particles and maintain the flexibility of the ear drum;
-It has sebaceous gland that secrete sebum which softens the canal/keeps it supple;
c)Ear drum/tympanic membrane; It is a thin membrane which vibrates and transforms sound waves into vibrations;
d)Ear ossicles (malleus, incus and stapes); they form a system of levers which amplifies and transmits the vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window;
e)Oval and round window; are membranes which vibrate and transmit vibrations to the cochlea;
f)Eustachian tube; hollow to equalize the air pressure between the inner ear and outer ear;
g)3 Semi-circular canals; are filled with endolymph and have a swelling called ampulla with sensory hairs which are disturbed with the fluid which initiates the impulse; transmitted to the brain through optic nerve; to maintain the body balance;
h)Vestibule (utricule and succule); contain chalky granules / otoliths attached to sensory hairs which are stimulated to initiate the impulse; which is transmitted to the brain through optic nerve; maintain body posture;
i)The cochlea; It is highly coiled to increase the surface area for attachment sensory cells for hearing;
j)Auditory nerve; It is made up of several nerve cells to transmit impulses to the brain for interpretation;