Meatus acusticus

Meatus acusticus is a term used in anatomy to refer to the natural body passages that lead to the inner ear. There are two types of meatus acusticus: the meatus acusticus externus and the meatus acusticus internus.

Meatus Acusticus Externus

The meatus acusticus externus or the external acoustic meatus is a tube running from the outer ear to the middle ear. It is also known as the ear canal. The human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum and is about 2.5 cm in length and 0.7 cm in diameter.

Meatus Acusticus Internus

The meatus acusticus internus or the internal acoustic meatus is a canal within the petrous part of the temporal bone of the skull between the posterior cranial fossa and the inner ear. It transmits the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves from the inner ear to the brain.

Clinical Significance

Abnormalities or injuries to the meatus acusticus can lead to a variety of health issues, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Infections can also occur, such as otitis externa, which affects the external acoustic meatus, and labyrinthitis, which can affect the internal acoustic meatus.

See Also

• Ear
• Inner ear
• Outer ear
• Middle ear
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Vertigo