Auditory

Auditory System

Latin	Systema auditus

The auditory system is the sensory system for the sense of hearing. It includes both the sensory organs (the ears) and the auditory parts of the sensory system.

Anatomy

The auditory system is divided into two main sections: the peripheral and central auditory systems.

Peripheral Auditory System

The peripheral auditory system consists of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

1. 1. 1. 1. Outer Ear

The outer ear includes the pinna and the ear canal. Its primary function is to capture sound waves and funnel them into the ear canal.

1. 1. 1. 1. Middle Ear

The middle ear contains three bones known as the ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These bones help to amplify and transmit the sound vibrations from the ear drum to the inner ear.

1. 1. 1. 1. Inner Ear

The inner ear consists of the cochlea, which is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled tube. It is here that sound vibrations are converted into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

Central Auditory System

The central auditory system is responsible for processing the information received from the peripheral auditory system. This includes the auditory nerve and various parts of the brain, such as the auditory cortex.

Function

The primary function of the auditory system is to detect and interpret sound. This involves several key processes:

• Sound wave transmission
• Sound localization
• Sound recognition

Clinical Significance

Disorders of the auditory system can lead to hearing loss, which may be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Conditions such as otitis media, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease can affect the auditory system.

See Also

• Hearing
• Ear
• Sound
• Neuroscience