Do not forget your EARS

I decided to put a short review about the ear to freshen up our memories before we discuss Otic OTC products.  In this case, we can easily handle different disorders of ear.

Photo Courtesy of Chittka L, Brockmann

Parts of the ear:

1.       External ear

-          It extends much farther due to what it is made of.

a.       Auricle (pinna)

Its function is to collect sound and channel it toward the middle ear.

b.      External auditory canal (ear canal)

It is composed of small glands that are in charge of secreting cerumen (earwax)

c.       Eardrum

It is the outer surface of the tympanic membrane which separates the ear canal from the middle ear.

2.       Middle ear

-          It is an air-filled chamber which gives direct access to the inner ear and indirect way in to the nose and throat by the way of the Eustachian tube. It has three small bones (ossicles).

a.       Malleus

b.      Incus

c.       Stapes

3.       Inner ear

-          It is the most delicate part of the ear. It has two components.

a.       Auditory component of the inner ear (cochlea)

Cochlea is the snail-shaped structure attached to the stapes in the middle ear. It is filled with fluid. It is the one responsible for hearing.

b.      Vestibular component of the inner ear (semicircular canals and vestibule)

It is the one responsible for maintaining balance and equilibrium.