Ear canal

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Ear they umbrella
Anatomy of the human ear.
Latin	meatus acusticus externus
Gray's	subject #229 1036
Artery	anterior auricular branches
Precursor	groove (cleft) of the first branchial arch.[1]
Dorlands/Elsevier	m_06/12518132

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Overview

The ear canal (external auditory meatus, external acoustic meatus), is a tube running from the outer ear to the middle ear. The human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum and is about 26 mm in length and 7 mm in diameter.

Size and shape

The human ear canal is approximately 26 mm long and 7 mm in diameter. Size and shape of the canal vary among individuals. This is an important factor to consider when fitting hearing protectors.

Disorders

The ear canal, because of its relative exposure to the outside world, is a common victim of diseases and other disorders. Some disorders include:

• Otitis externa (swimmer's ear), bacteria-caused inflammation of the ear canal
• Contact dermatitis of the ear canal
• Ear fungus
• Ear myiasis, an extremely rare infestation of maggots
• Bone exposure, caused by the wearing away of skin in the canal
• Granuloma, a scar usually caused by tympanostomy tubes
• Stenosis, a gradual closing of the canal
• Foreign body in ear
• Ear mites in animals.
• Cysts of the external auditory meatus

Earwax

Main article: Earwax

Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a yellowish, waxy substance secreted in the ear canals. It plays an important role in the human ear canal, assisting in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, and insects. Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal and impair hearing.

References

Additional images

Base of skull. Inferior surface.

Left infratemporal fossa.

External and middle ear, opened from the front. Right side.

Horizontal section through left ear; upper half of section.

External links

• Veterans Health Administration web site
• OSHA web site
• Continuing Medical Education Ear Photographs
• Otoscopy Tutorial w/ Images
• Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator, at Elsevier 34257.000-1

v • d • e Sensory system: Auditory and Vestibular systems
Outer ear	pinna (Helix, Antihelix, Tragus, Antitragus, Earlobe) • Ear canal
Middle ear	Eardrum (Umbo) • Ossicles (Malleus, Incus & Stapes) • muscles (Stapedius, Tensor tympani) • Eustachian tube (Torus tubarius)
Inner ear/Labyrinth	Bony labyrinth (Vestibule) • Membranous labyrinth Oval window • Helicotrema • Round window Cochlea: Spiral ganglion • Modiolus • Cochlear duct/scala media (Endolymph, Stria vascularis, Spiral ligament, Organ of Corti) • Scala vestibuli and Scala tympani (Perilymph) Reissner's/vestibular membrane • Basilar membrane • Tectorial membrane Organ of Corti: Hair cells • Stereocilia • Sulcus spiralis (externus, internus) • Limbus spiralis
Vestibular system	Static/translations: Utricle (Macula) - Saccule (Macula, Endolymphatic sac, Endolymphatic duct) - Kinocilium - Otolith Kinetic/rotations: Semicircular canals (Superior, Posterior, Horizontal) • Cupula • Ampullae (Crista ampullaris)
Brain (auditory)	Cochlear nerve VIII → Cochlear nuclei → Trapezoid body → Superior olivary nuclei → Lateral lemniscus → Inferior colliculi → Medial geniculate nuclei → Primary auditory cortex

v • d • e Foramina of the skull (and canals, fissures, meati, and hiati)
Anterior cranial fossa	to Orbit: ethmoidal foramina (anterior, posterior) to Nasal cavity: olfactory foramina (CN-I) - foramen cecum
Middle cranial fossa	to Orbit: optic canal (CN-II) - superior orbital fissure (CN-III,IV,V1,VI) to Pterygopalatine fossa: foramen rotundum (CN-V2) - pterygoid canal to Infratemporal fossa: foramen ovale (CN-V3) - foramen spinosum/carotid canal other: foramen lacerum - hiatus for greater petrosal nerve - hiatus for lesser petrosal nerve - sphenoidal emissary foramen
Posterior cranial fossa	internal auditory meatus/facial canal/stylomastoid foramen (CN-VII,VIII) - jugular foramen (CN-IX,X,XI) - foramen magnum (CN-XI) - hypoglossal canal (CN-XII) - condylar canal - mastoid foramen
Orbit	to Nasal cavity: nasolacrimal canal to Face: supraorbital (notch, foramen) - infraorbital (foramen, groove) - zygomatic foramen (-facial, -temporal) to Pterygopalatine fossa: inferior orbital fissure
Pterygopalatine fossa	to Nasal cavity: sphenopalatine foramen to Oral cavity: greater palatine canal/greater palatine foramen - lesser palatine canals/lesser palatine foramina to Infratemporal fossa: pterygomaxillary fissure to Nasopharynx: palatovaginal canal
Nasal cavity	to Oral cavity: incisive canals - incisive foramen
Other	external acoustic meatus - mandibular foramen - mental foramen - parietal foramen - petrotympanic fissure - semilunar hiatus

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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .