Human Ear Model

Ear model - anterior view:

External ear - made up of 5 parts:

1. auricle (aka "pinna"):

The auricle or pinna refers tot he entire visible structure of the External ear (i.e. does not include the External acoustic meatus).

2. helix:

3. lobule:

4. external acoustic meatus (aka "auditory canal"):

Anterior view of External acoustic meatus.

Lateral view of External acoustic meatus.

5. tympanic membrane:

Middle ear - made up of 4 parts:

A. Oval window:

Oval window is the hollow circle formed by the "footplate" or base of the Stapes, which is broken on this model.

 

B. Round window:

C. Auditory tube (aka "Pharyngotympanic tube"):

D. Auditory ossicles (3 "little bones"):

i. malleus:

ii. incus:

iii. stapes: no picture available (stapes broken on model). Link to clear picture of stapes on a different ear model.

Internal ear (aka "Inner ear" or "Labyrinth") - made up of 2 separate labyrinths:

1. Osseous labyrinth (aka "Bony labyrinth"):

Bony labyrinth contains the fluid called "perilymph".

2. Membranous labyrinth:

Membranous labyrinth contains the fluid called "endolymph".

3 parts that make up the Bony (Osseous) Labyrinth: (1) vestibule, (2) semicircular canals, and (3) cochlea.

1. vestibule (of Bony Labyrinth) - contains 2 internal structures of interest.

The Vestibule of the inner ear connects the Cochlea with the Semicircular canals.

i. utricle (of vestibule, of Membranous labyrinth): one of two small cavities inside the vestibule; not visible on the model because it is an internal structure. Internet diagram of the utricle can be found here.


ii. saccule (of vestibule, of Membranous labyrinth): one of two small cavities inside the vestibule. See "utricle" entry above for a diagram of the saccule.


2. Semicircular Canals (of Bony Labyrinth, 3 total) - contains 1 internal structure of interest.

i. ampullae (of Semicircular canals):

Ampullae are dilated (enlarged) areas of the base of each Semicircular canal.

3. Cochlea - (of Bony labyrinth, made up of 3 internal tubes):

Cochlea is a "snail-like" structure dedicated to the sense of hearing (whereas the Vestibule and Semicircular canals are dedicated to balance/spatial orientation).

i. scala vestibuli (of Cochlea, of Bony labyrinth):

Scala vestibuli are Orange on this model. Scala vestibuli is filled with "perilymph".

 ii. scala tympani (of Cochlea, of Bony labyrinth):

Scala tympani are Blue on this model. Scala tympani is filled with "perilymph".

iii. scala media (of Cochlea, of Membranous labyrinth, aka "Cochlear Duct"):

Scala media (aka "Cochlear Duct") is filled with "endolymph".

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (aka "Cranial Nerve 8"):