Also called the incus. The bone of the middle eat that is attached to the malleus (hammer) and the stapes (stirrup).

Also called the ear canal. A short tube about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long that directs sound to the eardrum.

Also called the vestibulocochlear nerve or acoustic nerve. Acts like a telephone line to the brain. The electrical signals generated by the hair cells are sent to the brain by this nerve.

The visible part of the outer ear also called the pinna. If you can wiggle your ears, the auricle is what you wiggle.

The membrane that forms the lower boundary of the cochlear canal, and on which rests the organ of Corti, of which the hair cells of the cochlea are part.

Ear wax - Ear wax protects our ear canal and smells bad to bugs.

The snail-shaped part of the inner ear which contains the organ of Corti also known as the organ of hearing.

Also called the auditory canal. A short tube about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long that directs sound to the eardrum.

Also called Cerumen. Ear wax protests our ear canal and smells bad to bugs.

Also called the tympanic membrane. A thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the inner ear. Sound waves make it vibrate; this vibration is transferred to the three bones of the middle ear.

Connects the middle ear to the throat. It’s normally closed. When you pop your ears, this tube opens up to let air in or out.

Also called the ear canal. A short tube about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long that directs sound to the eardrum.

A bundle of stereocilia on top of each hair cell - sound vibrations from the stapes or stirrup bone move the fluid inside the inner ear which moves the hair bundles. The hair cells in turn signal the auditory nerve.

Also called the malleus. The bone of the middle ear that is attached to the eardrum and the incus (anvil).

Also called the anvil. The bone of the middle ear that is attached to the malleus (hammer) and the stapes (stirrup)

a complex structure of interconnected fluid-filled chambers and canals within the bone of the skull - one portion of the inner ear is not involved in hearing, but instead provides a sense of balance. The other portion of the inner ear, called the cochlea, is the organ of hearing.

The interconnected fluid-filled chambers of the inner ear.

Also called the hammer. The bone of the middle ear that is attached to the eardrum and the incus (anvil).

The air-filled space between the eardrum and the inner ear, containing the ossicles or the three middle-ear bones (the malleus, the incus and the stapes or hammer, anvil, and stirrup)

Also known as the organ of hearing. The organ of Corti rests on the basilar membrane in the cochlear canal.

Three bones found in the ears of all mammals (the malleus, the incus and the stapes or hammer, anvil and stirrup). These bones are the smallest bones in a persons body and they act like a system of levels.

The external part of the ear which includes the pinna (the part you can wiggle) and the ear canal.

An opening into the inner ear that is filled by the “footplate” of the stapes (stirrup bone).

The visible part of the outer ear, also called the auricle - if you can wiggle your ears, the pinna is what you wiggle.

The tiny stirrup-shaped bone of the middle ear that is connected to a window (oval window) in the cochlea.

Small finger-like or hair-like projections from the top of each hair cell in the inner ear - also see hair bundle. Sound vibrations from the stapes or stirrup bone move the fluid inside the inner ear which moves the hair bundles. The hair cells in turn signal the auditory nerve.

Also called the stapes. The tiny stirrup-shaped bone of the middle ear that is connected to a window in the cochlea.

Ringing or other sounds in your ears or head that only you can hear.

Also called the eardrum. A thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the inner ear. Sound waves make it vibrate; this vibration is transferred to three bones of the middle ear.

Also called the auditory nerve or acoustic nerve. Acts like a telephone line to the brain. The electrical signals generated by the hair cells are sent to the brain by this nerve.