What’s Ear Anatomy?
The outer ear consists of the visible part known as the pinna and the ear canal, which directs sound waves towards the middle ear. The middle ear contains the eardrum and three small bones called the ossicles – the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes). These bones transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The inner ear houses the cochlea, responsible for converting sound waves into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain, as well as the vestibular system, which contributes to our sense of balance and spatial orientation.