The structure of the auricle. Human ear structure
Eardrum located at the end of the drum part of the pyramid temporal bone at an angle of 30 about with respect to the lower wall of the external auditory canal. In a newborn, the tympanic membrane lies at an angle of 12 0 almost horizontally, which is associated with the later development of the bone of the tympanic part of the pyramid. Fig. 6 General location of the outer, middle and inner ear in the temporal bone pyramid.
The tympanic part of the temporal bone.
The tympanic membrane is translucent, very thin, about 0.1 mm, pearl-gray in color, has an almost round shape, since the vertical size of the tympanic membrane is about 0.9 cm - 1 cm, horizontally - 0.8 - 0.9 cm ., the area of \u200b\u200bthe tympanic membrane is about 60 mm 2.
Top part tympanic membrane relaxed, folded, since it consists of two layers: from the side of the external auditory canal it is covered with epidermis, and from the side of the tympanic cavity with epithelium. At the top, the tympanic membrane is attached to the uneven bones of the pyramid and the external process of the malleus is woven into it from the tympanic cavity. On the outer surface of the upper part of the tympanic membrane, it shines through with a yellowish granule, with two folds extending from it. The folds are a conditional border that separates the upper, relaxed part of the tympanic membrane, which is only 10% of the area of \u200b\u200bthe tympanic membrane, from the lower, stretched part. Figure: 7 Left tympanic membrane. Figure: 8. Right tympanic membrane.
At the bottom, stretchedparts to two layers of the tympanic membrane is added a layer consisting of connective tissue with circular and radial, elastic fibers, cobweb-shaped, and giving special strength to the stretched part of the tympanic membrane.
The stretched part of the tympanic membrane is much more relaxed, makes up more than 90% of the area of \u200b\u200bthe tympanic membrane, and with the help of fibrous fibers of the connective tissue, it is attached and stretched to a special bone groove along the lower edge of the bony external auditory canal. In the stretched part, the tympanic membrane is tightly adhered to the handle of the malleus, which appears as a pale yellowish strip extending from the outer process of the malleus to the center and slightly posteriorly.
For the right eardrum, the upper end of the hammer handle is at 13 o'clock. And for the left eardrum at 11 o'clock. The lower end of the hammer handle is called the umbilicus of the membrane. In this part, the eardrum in the form of a cone is drawn into the tympanic cavity, and the navel corresponds to the apex of the cone.
Since the eardrum ruptures during inflammation - perforation, it is conventionally divided into four parts to indicate the site of the perforation. Division is carried out by means of two imaginary lines, one of which runs along the handle of the hammer, and the other through the navel at a right angle. The anterior half of the tympanic membrane is divided into two quadrants: anterior - upper and anterior - lower. Accordingly, the posterior half to the posterior - upper and posterior - lower quadrants. With the help of such division, it is possible, if necessary, to clarify the place of rupture (perforation) of the tympanic membrane.
Examinethe eardrum using a special concave mirror, a light source, and an ear funnel, which is inserted into the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal, having previously pulled the auricle to straighten the spiral bend of the external auditory canal. A light spot appears on the mirror surface of the membrane, in the form of a triangle, the apex of which is located at the navel, and the base on the anterior lower quadrant of the tympanic membrane. This is the so called light cone, which is always visible on a healthy tympanic membrane and is absent in its pathology.
The eardrum is pierced with endings tympanic nervewhich departs from lower, sensory node of the glossopharyngeal nerve, immediately after leaving the cranial cavity, and therefore, it is extremely sensitive, and its inflammation causes severe pain.
Per eardrum is the tympanic cavity with middle ear,which is his central part... The middle ear occupies the entire pyramid of the temporal bone, and consists of tympanic cavity, auditory tube and the mastoid process.
General form outer, middle and inner ear.
Tympanic cavity,being the central part of the temporal bone pyramid and the central part of the middle ear, it is a narrow, bony cleft filled with air, with a volume of about 1 - 2 cm 3, similar to a drum, or a tambourine, placed on the edge, and inclined towards the external auditory canal.
Outer wall tympanic cavity is eardrum, a inner wallthe tympanic cavity is the outer wall inner ear with two windows, closed membranes Due to the presence of membranes on both sides, this narrow cavity is called the tympanic cavity.
Superior bony wall of the tympanic cavity or roofis both the front wall of the temporal bone pyramid, and separates the tympanic cavity from the middle cranial fossa, where the temporal lobe of the brain is located. In young children, at the junction of the pyramid and the scaly part of the temporal lobe, there is a gap, which subsequently overgrows connective tissue... Such a close location of the tympanic cavity to the middle cranial fossa can be the cause of inflammatory lesions of the temporal lobe of the brain in chronic processes in the tympanic cavity. Fig. 9 Bony walls of the tympanic cavity.
The lower bone wall of the tympanic cavity,being the lower wall of the temporal bone pyramid, it borders on the outer base of the skull, where a thickened jugular vein or bulb of the jugular vein is located in the bone cavity. Inflammation of the tympanic cavity, causing damage to bone tissue, penetrates the vascular wall of the bulb of the jugular vein and contributes to the formation of a thrombus. The resulting thrombus impedes the outflow of venous blood from the skull and is one of the severe complications of chronic inflammation of the middle ear
Bottom wall pyramids of the temporal bone. 
1 External auditory canal. 2 Styloid process. 3 The tympanic part of the temporal bone pyramid. 4 Mandibular fossa. 5 Deepening of the pyramid 6 Zygomatic process. 7,8,9 A gap between the stony and scaly parts. 10 Semi-canal of the auditory tube and muscle stretching the eardrum. 11 Internal opening of the carotid canal. 12 External opening of the carotid canal. 13 Fovea of \u200b\u200bthe pyramid. 14 Opening of the canaliculus of the main curl of the cochlea. 15 Jagged recess. 17 Styloid foramen. 18 Mastoid process. 19 Groove of the occipital artery. 20 Tenderloin of the mastoid.
Auditory or Eustachian tube is the front part of the middle ear, connects the tympanic cavity with the nasopharynx and serves to equalize air pressure, i.e. for physiological ventilation. Fig 12. Auditory tube.
The auditory tube is a continuation of the anteroposterior part of the tympanic cavity. The length of the auditory tube is about 37 mm. Immediately after the tympanic cavity, the auditory tube goes into the bony canal of the temporal bone pyramid, heading towards the center, down and anteriorly, repeating the direction of the temporal bone pyramid.
After exiting the pyramid of the temporal bone, the auditory tube has cartilaginous walls. A small bend is formed between the bony and cartilaginous walls of the auditory tube, in the form of a narrow isthmus, the diameter of which is 1.5 mm, while the diameter of its open opening in the tympanic cavity is 3 - 6 mm. On the one hand, such a structure protects the tympanic cavity from an ascending infection, on the other hand, it can become a stubborn source of inflammation.
The cartilaginous part of the auditory tube has an end hole at the elevation of the side wall of the nasopharynx, it is 1 - 2.5 cm below the bone, tympanic opening of the auditory tube, which makes it difficult for the infection to climb into the tympanic cavity. Around the opening of the auditory tube are small lymphoid tonsilsprotecting the auditory tube from infection. The nasopharyngeal opening of the auditory tube is normally closed and opens only when swallowing, yawning, screaming, sneezing. This reflex opening of the auditory tube is caused by the contraction of the muscles of the soft palate, which are associated with the muscles of the cartilaginous part of the auditory tube. Swallowing movements should be made to induce the flow of air into the auditory tube and into the tympanic cavity during flight, especially during takeoff and landing.
In a newborn, the auditory tube is wider, shorter, and straighter, 19 mm long, the nasopharyngeal opening of which is almost at the level, or just below the tympanic opening of the auditory tube, which contributes to the penetration of infection into the tympanic cavity. In addition, in childhood, the auditory tube does not have a bend and isthmus, its opening is often open, which also contributes to the penetration of infection into the tympanic cavity. This is what contributes frequent inflammation middle ear in children. Figure: 13. Schematic relationship of the external auditory canal, tympanic cavity and auditory tube in a newborn and an adult. According to M. Ya. Kozlov and A.L. Levin.
The auditory tube is lined from the inside with a cylindrical epithelium, the movement of the cilia is directed towards the nasopharyngeal opening, which contributes to the evacuation of discharge from the tympanic cavity, and prevents the spread of infection into the auditory tube, that is, it performs a protective function.
The posterior wall of the tympanic cavity communicates with the cave and cells using a bone passage mastoid, also filled with air coming from the nasopharynx. The mastoid process consists of one large bony cavity, a cave, or antrum, and small bony cells. The size of the cells of the mastoid process is individual, but the antrum or cave is always present and communicates with the tympanic cavity. The antrum and cells, as well as the tympanic cavity, are filled with air, which enters here from the nasopharynx, through the auditory tube immediately after the birth of the child, a process called pneumatization.
Ventilation of the cells of the mastoid process through the nasal cavity, auditory tube, tympanic cavity is an important condition for the healthy state of the middle ear, and impaired nasal breathing as a result of a runny nose, curvature of the nasal septum often causes or contributes to middle ear disease.
In a newborn, the mastoid process is very small, and is represented by a tubercle consisting of one cave, and as it grows, the mastoid process stretches out, acquires the shape of a nipple due to the movement of the neck muscles attached to it, and in addition to the cave, cells filled with air appear in it. By the age of 8 - 12, the process of pneumatization of the mastoid process ends, when, along with the antrum, air cells are formed in it.
The air cavities of the mastoid process, as well as other air cavities of the skull, contribute to giving a certain timbre to the voice, due to the air that is reflected from its walls.
Various external and internal negative factors affect the structure of the mastoid process. In children who have suffered inflammation of the mastoid process, or have a long-term chronic process in the tympanic cavity, the tissue of the mastoid process becomes very compact, sclerotic, and contains almost no air cavities.
Bone The mastoid process can have a spongy structure, that is, like a sponge, it consists of many very small cells, which is associated with a violation of nasal breathing, with the manifestation of rickets. The third type of structure of the mastoid process, pneumatic, is characterized by large cells filled with air, but this does not exclude the possibility of inflammation.
On the border of the tympanic cavity and the mastoid process is bone canal facial nerve and above the canal lies a small cone for attaching the stapes muscle. The formation of a bony sheath around the facial nerve occurs at 12 to 18 months of age. Damage to the bony canal of the facial nerve with inflammation of the middle ear occurs in the chronic course of otitis media.
B arabic cavity at healthy person always contains air, only in newborns it is filled with embryonic tissue, which dissolves by 6 months, which, among other things, explains the hearing loss during this period.
Auditory bones are located mainly in the space above the drum, on top is the front surface of the pyramid.
Only outer process and hammer handle are woven into the fibrous layer of the tympanic membrane, giving it a peculiar appearance from the outside. Figure: 10. Auditory bones.
Three small auditory ossicles,connected and resembled in shape hammer, incus and stirrup. FROMrat seeds from with the help of ligaments, they are suspended from the bony walls of the tympanic cavity, and the tympanic membrane is connected with the oval window of the vestibule of the inner ear, due to which the sound wave from the eardrum propagates only to the region of the oval window of the vestibule of the inner ear.
The handle of the malleus passes into the isthmus and then into the head of the malleus and tightly adjoins the body of the incus, forming a tight articulation, due to which these two bones move as a whole. Anvil - the largest auditory bone, in addition to the body, has two scion: short with the help of a ligament it is connected to the back wall of the tympanic cavity, are longthe th process is directed downward, parallel to the handle of the malleus, its length is about 7 mm. The end of the long process bends inward and connects to the head of the stapes, forming a true, spherical joint, thanks to which the base of the stapes can rotate. Base of stirrup located between the two legs of the stapes, extending from the head of the stapes, it is inserted into the oval window of the vestibule of the inner ear, covered with cartilage and secured by an annular ligament. Ossification of this ligament, which occurs with a disease called otosclerosis, disrupts the movement of the base of the stirrup and causes
The ratio of the stapes surface to the tympanic membrane is 1:22, which increases the pressure of sound waves on the membrane of the oval window by the same amount. This mechanism for increasing the sound pressure makes it possible to transmit even weak sound waves, especially low ones.
progressive hearing loss. 
The inner surface of the tympanic cavity lined with mucous membrane, which goes to the auditory ossicles located in the tympanic cavity and covers them.
The tympanic cavity is conventionally divided into three parts, which is due to a course of different severity inflammatory process in them. The upper part of the tympanic cavity is located above the tympanic membrane and is called over the drum space, attic,or epitympanum (epic - top, tympanum - air cavity). Epitympanum contains most auditory ossicles, inflammation of this part of the tympanic cavity is called epitympanitis, proceeds for a long time and with complications.
The middle part of the tympanic cavity is called mesotympanum (mezzo - middle, tympanum - air cavity) corresponds to the stretched part of the tympanic membrane, its inflammation proceeds more benign.
Bottom part tympanic cavity - hypotympanum(hypo - smaller) is located below the attachment of the tympanic membrane, and becomes inflamed with inflammation of the auditory tube.
Hammer head and incus , constituting the largest mass of the auditory ossicles, are located in the upper parts of the tympanic cavity above the tympanic membrane, in the epitympanum. In the inflammatory process in this part of the tympanic cavity, which is located directly under the anterior wall of the pyramid, the head of the malleus and the incus often undergo carious changes, which causes a malignant course of the inflammatory process with its possible penetration into the middle cranial fossa.
The middle part of the tympanic cavity (mesotympanum) contains a smaller mass of the auditory ossicles, and its inflammation does not give serious complications.
The lower part of the tympanic cavity (hypotympanum), the front wall passes into the auditory tube, the inflammation of which leads to catarrh of the middle ear, or otherwise tubo-otitis.
The auditory bones are suspended from the walls of the tympanic cavity not only by ligaments, but also by two muscles: stapes muscle and muscle straining the eardrum.
Stapes muscleshort, 6 mm long, it departs from the posterior wall of the tympanic cavity, at the border with the mastoid process, joins the head of the stirrup. Set in motion a branch of the facial nerve (drum string),which adjusts the degree of rotation of the stapes base depending on the sound intensity, that is, performs an accommodative function. With an excessively strong sound wave, the base of the stapes rotates around its axis due to the presence of a spherical joint in the head of the stapes, and does not create pressure on the oval window, that is, it delays the passage of the auditory wave.
Muscle straining the tympanic membrane dline 25 mm. It is located above the bony canal of the auditory tube, in a special, bone cavity, and is directed from front to back, then bends at a right angle, crosses the tympanic cavity and is attached to the apex of the hammer handle. The muscle has the ability to change the degree of tension of the tympanic membrane and the auditory ossicles when conducting sounds of different heights and intensities, that is, it has an adaptive, accommodative function to change the sensitivity of the tympanic membrane, depending on the characteristics of the incoming sound wave. Set in motion the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve,which conducts both sensory impulses and motor impulses, and therefore is able to regulate the degree of tension of the tympanic membrane. Tympanic membrane tension. Fig. 11. Muscle straining the eardrum
The innervation of the mucous membrane of the tympanic cavity is carried out tympanic nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nervewhich connects to branches of the facial and trigeminal nerves... The tympanic nerve departs from the lower node of the glossopharyngeal nerve, and gives branches to the mucous membrane of the tympanic membrane, to the cells of the mastoid process, the tubal branch to the mucous membrane of the auditory tube, as well as to the oval and round windows of the inner ear.
The human ear is an organ responsible not only for the ability to perceive the sounds of the surrounding world, but also for a sense of the position of the body in space, which is necessary for the correct coordination of movements and maintaining balance.
All parts of the ear (external, middle, internal) function in direct dependence on each other and diseases affecting one of the ear departments can completely disrupt the functions of the rest.
Let us consider in more detail the anatomy and structure of the human ear, as well as diseases that can affect the organs of hearing.
Outer ear
The outer ear of a person consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal, which is bounded from the middle ear by the eardrum.
Diseases:
- labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the inner surface of the cochlea and canals. It most often develops after incompletely healed otitis media, traumatic brain injury and infectious diseases... It appears severe dizziness, reaching the point of nausea and vomiting, periodic disturbances in the coordination of movements, chaotic movements of the eyeballs, arising from several times a day, to hourly attacks.
Important: it should be remembered that the clinical picture of labyrinthitis and brain diseases is in many ways similar, and with the listed symptoms, in no case can one expect an independent resolution of the problem. See your doctor: in some cases, only special diagnostic methods can help identify the cause of dizziness and poor coordination of movements.
The human ear is a unique paired organ located deep in the temporal bone. The anatomy of its structure makes it possible to capture mechanical vibrations of the air, as well as to carry out their transmission through internal environments, then transform the sound and transmit it to the brain centers.
According to the anatomical structure, human ears can be conditionally divided into three parts, namely the outer, middle and inner.
Middle ear elements
Studying the structure of the middle part of the ear, you can see that it is divided into several components: the tympanic cavity, the ear tube and the auditory ossicles. The latter include the anvil, malleus, and stirrup.
Middle ear malleus
This part of the ossicles includes items such as the neck and handle. The head of the hammer is connected via the hammer joint to the anvil body structure. And the handle of this hammer is connected to the tympanic membrane by fusion with it. Attached to the neck of the malleus is a special muscle that pulls on the ear drum.
Anvil
This ear element has at its disposal a length of six to seven millimeters, which consists of a special body and two legs with short and long dimensions. The one that is short has a lenticular process that grows together with the anvil stapes and with the head of the stirrup itself.
What else does the middle ear ossicle include?
Stirrup
The stirrup has a head, as well as front and rear legs with a part of the base. The stapes muscle is attached to its hind leg. The base of the stirrup itself is built into the oval-shaped window of the maze entrance. An annular membrane in the form of a membrane, which is located between the support base of the stapes and the edge of the oval window, helps to ensure the mobility of this auditory element, which is provided by the action of air waves directly on the tympanic membrane.
Anatomical description of the muscles attached to the bones
Attached to the auditory ossicles are two transverse striated muscles that perform specific functions for transmitting sound vibrations.
One of them pulls the eardrum and originates from the walls of the muscle and tubal canals related to the temporal bone, and then it attaches to the neck of the malleus itself. The function of this fabric is to pull the handle of the hammer inward. The tension occurs to the side. At the same time, the tympanic membrane is stressed and therefore it is, as it were, stretched and concave in the region of the middle ear.
The other stapes muscle originates in the thickness of the pyramidal rise of the mastoid wall of the tympanic region and is attached to the leg of the stapes located behind. Its function is to reduce and remove from the opening of the base of the stirrup itself. During powerful vibrations of the auditory ossicles, along with the previous muscle, the auditory ossicles are retained, which significantly reduces their displacement.
The auditory bones, which are connected by joints, and, in addition, the muscles related to the middle ear, completely regulate the movement of air flows to different levels intensity.
The tympanic cavity of the middle ear
In addition to the bones, a certain cavity is also included in the structure of the middle ear, which is usually called the tympanic cavity. The cavity is located in the temporal part of the bone, and its volume is one cubic centimeter. In this area, the auditory ossicles are located with the tympanic membrane nearby.
Above the cavity is placed which consists of cells that carry air flows. It also contains a certain cave, that is, a cell along which air molecules move. In the anatomy of the human ear, this area plays the role of the most characteristic landmark in the implementation of any surgical interventions. How the ossicles are connected is of interest to many.
Auditory tube in human middle ear structure anatomy
This area is a formation that can reach a length of three and a half centimeters, and the diameter of its lumen can be up to two millimeters. Its upper beginning is located in the tympanic region, and the lower pharyngeal opening opens up in the nasopharynx approximately at the level of the hard palate.
The auditory tube consists of two sections, which are separated by the narrowest point in its area, the so-called isthmus. The bony part departs from the tympanic region, which extends below the isthmus, it is customary to call it membranous-cartilaginous.
The walls of the tube, located in the cartilaginous region, are usually closed in a calm state, but when chewing they can open slightly, and this can also occur during swallowing or yawning. The increase in the lumen of the tube occurs through two muscles that are associated with the palatine curtain. The ear membrane is covered with epithelium and has a mucous surface, and its cilia move to the pharyngeal opening, which allows to ensure the implementation of drainage function pipes.
Other facts about the auditory bone in the ear and the structure of the middle ear
The middle ear is directly connected to the nasopharynx through the Eustachian tube, whose direct function is to regulate pressure not coming from the air. Sharp laying of human ears can signal a transient decrease or increase in environmental pressure.
Long and prolonged soreness in the temples, most likely, indicates that the ears are currently trying to actively fight the infection that has arisen and thus protect the brain from all kinds of disruptions in its performance.
Internal auditory bone
Reflex yawning can also be attributed to the fascinating facts of pressure, which signals that sudden changes have occurred in the person's environment, and therefore a reaction in the form of yawning was caused. You should also know that the middle ear of a person contains a mucous membrane in its structure.
Do not forget that unexpected, exactly like harsh sounds can provoke muscle contraction on a reflex basis and harm both the structure and the functioning of hearing. The functions of the ossicles are unique.
All of the above structures carry such a functional ability of the auditory ossicles as the transmission of perceived noise, as well as its transfer from the outer region of the ear to the inner one. Any violation and malfunction of at least one of the buildings can lead to the destruction of the hearing organs completely.
Inflammation of the middle ear
The middle ear is a small cavity between the inner ear and the middle ear. In the middle ear, the transformation of air vibrations into fluid vibrations is provided, which is registered by the auditory receptors in the inner ear. This happens with the help of special bones (malleus, incus, stapes) due to sound vibration from the eardrum to the auditory receptors. To equalize the pressure between the cavity and the environment, the middle ear is connected to the nose by the Eustachian tube. An infectious agent penetrates this anatomical structure and provokes inflammation - otitis media.
Ear - paired ( right and left), a symmetrical, complex organ of balance and hearing.
Anatomically, the ear is divided into three parts.
#one. Outer ear represented by the external auditory canal, the length of which is 30 mm, as well as the auricle, the basis of which is elastic cartilage 1 mm thick. From above, the cartilage is covered by the perichondrium and skin. The lower part of the shell is a lobe. It is devoid of cartilage and is formed by fatty tissue, which is also covered by the skin. Almost every little girl is punctured by parents ( in other words - piercing) the lobes of each ear and decorate them with earrings. Ears should be pierced in accordance with the rules of asepsis to avoid local and general infection.
The free edge of the ear concha forms a curl. Parallel to the curl is the antihelix, in front of which is the cavity of the ear concha. In the ear, a tragus and an antigus are also distinguished. The auricle is attached to the mastoid and zygomatic processes, as well as the temporal bone with the help of muscles and ligaments. The human ear is inactive due to the fact that the muscles that rotate it are practically atrophied. The entrance to the outer ear is covered with hair and contains sebaceous glands... The shape of the auricles, like fingerprints, is individual for all people.
The ear canal connects the auricle and the eardrum. In adults it is longer and narrower, while in children it is shorter and wider. That is why otitis media is more common in early childhood. The skin of the ear canal contains sulfur and sebaceous glands.
# 2. Middle ear represented by the tympanic cavity, which is located in the temporal bone. It contains the smallest auditory ossicles in the human body: the malleus, stapes and incus. With their help, sound is transmitted in inner ear... The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear cavity with the nasopharynx;
# 3. Inner ear the most complex in structure of all parts. It communicates with the middle ear through a round and oval window. Another name for the inner ear is the membranous labyrinth. It is immersed inside the bone labyrinth. It includes:
the cochlea is the direct organ of hearing;
vestibule and semicircular tubules - are responsible for acceleration, body position in space and balance.
Basic functions of the ear
Perceives sound vibrations;provides balance and position of the human body in space.
Embryonic ear development
Starting from the 4th week of embryonic development, the rudiments of the inner ear are formed. Initially, it is represented by a limited section of the ectoderm. The entire inner ear is formed by the 9th week of intrauterine life. The middle and outer ear are formed from the branchial slits starting from the 5th week. In a newborn, the tympanic cavity is fully formed, the lumen of which is filled with myxoidal tissue. It dissolves only by the 6th month of a child's life and is a good breeding ground for bacteria.Ear diseases
Among the common pathologies of the ear are distinguished: trauma ( barotrauma, acoustic trauma, etc.), congenital developmental anomalies, diseases ( otitis media, labyrinthitis, etc.).#one. Barotrauma - Damage to the paranasal sinuses of the ear or the Eustachian tube due to changes in ambient pressure. Reasons: flying in an airplane, diving, etc. At the time of injury occurs strong pain, congestion and feeling of a strong blow. Hearing loss, ringing and tinnitus are immediately noted. A ruptured eardrum is accompanied by bleeding from the ear canal;
#2. Congenital anomalies ears occur in the first 4 months of fetal development due to genetic defects. Ear abnormalities are often associated with malformations of the face and skull. Frequent pathologies: absence of ears, macrotia - excessively large ears, microtia - very small ears. Pathologies of the development of the middle ear include: underdevelopment of the auditory ossicles, infection of the inner ear, etc.;
#3. The most common ear condition between 2 and 8 years of age is otitis media... This is due to the anatomical features of the ear. That my ear hurts little child you can guess if you press on the tragus. Usually the child starts to worry and cry. Typical signs of the disease: shooting pain, which can radiate to the head, and intensify when swallowing, sneezing. Colds contribute to the disease. As a rule, otitis media is combined with rhinitis and tonsillitis;
#4. Labyrinthitis - internal otitis media. It occurs due to not fully treated otitis media. Sometimes the infection "rises" from the teeth affected by caries by hematogenous way. Symptoms of the disease: hearing loss, nystagmus ( involuntary movement eyeball ) on the affected side, nausea, tinnitus, etc.
Diagnostics
The definition of the disease begins with a survey and examination of the patient by a doctor. During examination of the auditory opening in adults, the concha is pulled back and upward, and in children - backward and downward. Pulling straightens the ear canal and makes it possible to view it with the help of the auditory funnel to the bony section. During palpation, the doctor presses on the tragus, the cause of the pain in which indicates an inflammation of the middle ear. In addition, the doctor pays attention to regional lymph nodes that are not normally detected. The eardrum is examined using an otoscope.Instrumental methods research:
X-ray of the temporal bone is of great importance for the diagnosis of various pathological formations of the middle and inner ear;
MRI allows you to get more detailed information about the pathology of the ear, it is especially often used to diagnose tumor and inflammatory changes.
Treatment
A doctor - an otolaryngologist is engaged in the treatment of diseases of the ears, as well as the throat and nose.The most common dosage formused to treat ear diseases are drops. With their help, local diseases of the outer and middle ear are treated. If the pathological process has affected the inner ear, as well as nearby organs ( nose, throat, etc.), then assigned medications general action ( antibiotics, pain relievers, etc.). In some advanced cases, for example, with fistular labyrinthitis, surgery is performed.
How to remove sulfuric plug? Sulfur is an important substance secreted by the glands of the outer ear. It performs a protective function, always standing out towards the external auditory canal. As a rule, sulfur plugs occur in persons who too often or, conversely, rarely clean their ears. The most common sign of cerumen is ear congestion. In addition, some people have itchy ears with sulfur plugs. You can try to remove the sulfur plug at home. To do this, you need to drip a warm solution of hydrogen peroxide into the ear. The sulfur plug will dissolve and the hearing will be restored. In a polyclinic, the ear is washed with warm water using Janet's syringe.
Ear transplant
A person who has lost an ear, for example, in a car accident, has a chance to regain a new, identical organ. Currently, this is done through the cultivation of auricles. The ear was first grown in the laboratories of America. To grow the new organ, it took a mouse to inject ear cartilage cells into its back. The body has successfully accepted an implant grown in this way. Currently, hundreds of such operations are performed in the United States. A cheaper option to replace the auricle is prosthetics. The artificial ear prosthesis is made of hypoallergenic silicone. Such operations, restoring the normal image of a person's face after emergencies, are performed in all countries of the world. For babies with no ears, Cornell doctors and biomedical scientists create auricles using injection dies and 3-D printing. In case of congenital pathology of the middle ear, in particular in the absence or underdevelopment of the auditory ossicles, implantation of a bone conduction hearing aid is performed.Prevention of ear diseases
To prevent the ingress of water before bathing, you must use special tampons for the ears;while bathing the child, avoid getting wet by keeping the head above the water. After feeding, you should keep the baby upright for 5 - 10 minutes so that the air comes out and food does not enter the nasopharynx;
in order to avoid the formation of sulfur plugs, as well as mechanical injury, it is not recommended to clean your ears often using sharp objects. The auricle should be cleaned with warm water, soap with fingers;
should avoid activities that promote the entry of a foreign body into the ear.
The ear is a complex organ with two functions: listening, through which we perceive sounds and interpret them, thus communicating with the environment; and maintaining body balance.
Auricle - catches and directs sound waves into the internal auditory canal;
Back maze, or semicircular canals - directs movements to the head and brain to regulate body balance;
Front maze, or cochlea - contains sensory cells that, by capturing the vibrations of sound waves, transform mechanical impulses into nerve impulses;
Auditory nerve - directs general nerve impulses to the brain;
Middle ear bones: hammer, incus, stirrup - receive vibrations from auditory waves, amplify them and transmit them to the inner ear;
External auditory canal - catches sound waves coming from outside and directs them to the middle ear;
Eardrum - a membrane that vibrates from sound waves hitting it and transmits vibrations along a chain of bones in the middle ear;
Eustachian tube - the channel connecting the eardrum to the pharynx and allowing to maintain
in equilibrium, the pressure in the middle ear is in equilibrium with the pressure of the environment.
The ear is divided into three sections, the functions of which are different.
; The external ear consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal, its purpose is to capture sounds;
; the middle ear is located in the temporal bone, separated from the inner ear by a movable membrane - the tympanic membrane - and contains three articular bones: the malleus, incus and stapes, which take part in the transmission of sounds to the cochlea;
; the inner ear, also called a labyrinth, is formed of two sections that perform different functions: the anterior labyrinth, or cochlea, where the organ of Corti is located, which is responsible for hearing, and the posterior labyrinth, or semicircular canals, in which impulses are produced that are involved in maintaining balance body (article "Balance and hearing")
The inner ear, or labyrinth, is made up of a very strong bony skeleton, ear capsule, or bony labyrinth, within which is a membrane mechanism with a structure similar to bone, but composed of membrane tissue. The inner ear is hollow, but filled with fluid: between the bony labyrinth and the membrane there is a perilymph, while the labyrinth itself is filled with endolymph. The anterior labyrinth, the bony form of which is called the cochlea, contains structures that generate auditory impulses. The posterior labyrinth, which takes part in regulating the balance of the body, has a bony skeleton, consisting of a cubic part, a vestibule and three canals in the form of an arc - semicircular, each of which includes a space with a flat plane.
The cochlea, so named because of its spiral shape, contains a membrane consisting of channels filled with fluid: a central triangular channel and a curl containing endolymph, which is located between the vestibule staircase and the tympanic staircase. These two staircases are partially separated, they pass into large cochlear canals, covered with thin membranes separating the inner ear from the middle one: the tympanic staircase starts at the oval window, while the vestibule staircase reaches the rounded window. The cochlea, which has a triangular shape, consists of three faces: the upper one, which is separated from the vestibule staircase by the Reisner membrane, the lower one, separated from the tympanic staircase by the main membrane, and the lateral one, which is attached to the shell and is a vascular groove that produces endolymph. Inside the cochlea there is a special auditory organ - Corti (the mechanism of sound perception is described in detail in the article "