Inner ear

Inner ear
There are three sections of the ear. They are the external ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The inner ear is far and away the most highly complex. The essential component of the inner ear for hearing is the membranous labyrinth where the fibers of the auditory nerve (the nerve connecting the ear to the brain) end. The membranous labyrinth is a system of communicating sacs and ducts (tubes) filled with fluid (the endolymph). The membranous labyrinth is lodged within a cavity called the bony labyrinth. At some points the membranous labyrinth is attached to the bony labyrinth and at other points the membranous labyrinth is suspended in a fluid (the perilymph) within the bony labyrinth. The bony labyrinth has three parts: a central cavity (the vestibule), semicircular canals (which open into the vestibule) and the cochlea (a snail-shaped spiral tube). The membranous labyrinth also has a vestibule which consists of two sacs (called the utriculus and sacculus) connected by a narrow tube. The larger of the two sacs, the utriculus, is the principal organ of the vestibular system or system of balance. This system informs us about the position and movement of the head. The smaller of the two sacs, the sacculus, is also connected by membranous tube to the cochlea that contains the organ of Corti. The hair cells, which are the special sensory receptors for hearing, are found within the organ of Corti. The inner ear is also called the internal ear.

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inner ear n the essential part of the vertebrate organ of hearing and equilibrium that typically is located in the temporal bone, is innervated by the auditory nerve, and includes the vestibule, the semicircular canals, and the cochlea called also internal ear

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internal ear auris interna.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Inner ear — The cochlea and vestibule, viewed from above …   Wikipedia

  • inner ear — n. the part of the ear in the temporal bone consisting of the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea: see EAR1 * * * or labyrinth of the ear Part of the ear containing organs of hearing and equilibrium. The bony labyrinth has three sections… …   Universalium

  • inner ear — noun count the inside part of your ear that controls your balance and your ability to hear …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • inner ear — n. the part of the ear in the temporal bone consisting of the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea: see EAR1 …   English World dictionary

  • inner ear — noun a complex system of interconnecting cavities; concerned with hearing and equilibrium • Syn: ↑internal ear, ↑labyrinth • Hypernyms: ↑sense organ, ↑sensory receptor, ↑receptor • Part Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • inner ear — in′ner ear′ n. anat. the inner, liquid filled, membranous portion of the ear, involved in hearing and balance • Etymology: 1920–25 …   From formal English to slang

  • inner ear — /ˈɪnər ɪə/ (say inuhr ear) noun the section of the ear made up of the cochlea, the vestibule and the semicircular canals. Also, internal ear …  

  • inner ear — noun The portion of the ear located within the temporal bone which includes the semicircular canals, vestibule, and cochlea and is responsible for hearing and balance. Syn: auris interna, internal ear, labyrinth …   Wiktionary

  • inner ear. — See internal ear. [1920 25] * * * …   Universalium

  • inner ear — internal part of the ear where the cochlea and semicircular canals are located (organs which transform sound waves into auditory signals and aid in balance) …   English contemporary dictionary

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