Dorothy FarrarEar canal
The ear canal is a pair of passages inside the ear . There is an inner and an outer ear canal.
Definition
The auditory canal represents an important passageway for the human sense of hearing. The ear is equipped with two auditory canals. One ensures the passage of important blood vessels and nerves to the brain , while the other marks the gateway to hearing. Both auditory canals are extremely important for human hearing.
Anatomy
The ear canal can be divided into two passages. These passages are the external auditory canal (Meacus acustis externis) and the internal auditory canal (Meacus acustis internis). While the external canal is part of the outer ear, the internal canal is part of the inner ear .
The auricle (auricula) is connected to the eardrum (membrana tympani) via the external auditory canal, which embodies the visible entrance to the ear . The course reaches a length of about 3.5 to 4 centimeters and has a diameter of about 5 millimeters to 1 centimeter. While it is composed of bone on its inside , it is composed of cartilage on the outside .
The course of the internal auditory canal, on the other hand, runs completely through the petrous bone, which is part of the human skull . Its mouth can be found in the posterior fossa of the skull. The deep artery is responsible for the arterial supply of the auditory canal. In addition, the posterior articular artery and the superficial temporal artery also contribute to the supply of the auricle.
Function
The functions of the internal auditory canal include providing a passageway for some nerves that play important roles in hearing and sight . These are the vestibular nerve, the cochlear nerve, and the faciliary nerve. But blood vessels such as the labyrinthine artery also run through the internal auditory canal into the interior of the skull.
The external auditory canal is used to transmit sound and to amplify it. The amplification of the sound is also called “open ear gain” and takes place in natural resonance. Certain wavelengths are amplified more than other wavelengths. For example, in the frequency range from 2 to 5 kilohertz, an amplification that reaches up to 20 decibels is possible.
The overtones of the human voice occur in this range. This is of particular importance for language comprehension. Thus, the voices of women and children fall under this frequency range.
The auditory canal also perceives some relevant protective mechanisms. These include the sebaceous glands and the bristles. Dust particles, dirt particles and dead skin cells are carried out of the body with the earwax through the sebum. In addition, earwax contains components that act against fungi and bacteria and repel insects. In this way, the ear canal remains free.
Diseases
- Akustikusneurinomen
Health problems can sometimes occur in the ear canal. This primarily includes inflammation of the ear canal (otitis externa). This is an inflammation of the external auditory canal. Small injuries, allergies , bacteria or fungi are considered to be the causes of their occurrence. People who swim, surf or dive a lot, as well as people who wear hearing aids, diabetics and children are particularly affected by an inflammation of the ear canal.
The treatment of an inflammation of the ear canal is usually carried out by thoroughly cleaning the ear canal and applying cortisone-containing ointments. If it is a fungal infection, antimycotics are administered in the form of drops and ointments. If bacteria are the cause of the inflammation, the patient is given antibiotics .
Acoustic neuromas can develop in the inner auditory canal. These are benign tumors that arise from Schwann cells. They become noticeable through feelings of dizziness , tinnitus and a deterioration in hearing.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.