Anatomy of the ear

The ear divides into three parts. The external ear is made of the auricle, the external auditory canal, and the outer surface of the tympanic membrane (eardrum). The middle ear is an air-filled chamber connecting to the inner ear and, via the eustachian tube, to the nose and throat; it houses three ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) that transmit sound vibrations. The inner ear has auditory and vestibular components: the cochlea is responsible for hearing, and the semicircular canals and vestibule maintain balance and equilibrium.

📖 “Ear: external (auricle, auditory canal, outer tympanic membrane), middle (ossicles malleus/incus/stapes, eustachian tube), inner (cochlea = hearing; semicircular canals/vestibule = balance).”