HEAD AND CERVICAL SPINE

Ears and Auditory Canal

 

Outer Ear

• Pinnae, conchae: rigid cartilage only covered by skin, collects sounds and directs it to the auditory canal

• Lobule: fleshy, hanging part of the ear, collects sound.

• External auditory meatus: directs soundwaves towards the middle ear, amplifies the soundwaves

Middle Ear

• Tympanic Membrane: also known as the eardrum, vibrates when sound waves come into contact with it

• Tympanic Cavity: turns air vibrations into fluid vibrations

• Ossicles: 

  • Malleus (hammer) - attaches to the eardrum

  • Incus (anvil) - bridge bone between malleus and stapes

  • Stapes (stirrup) - moves against the oval window

Inner Ear

• Oval Window: connects the middle and inner ear, moves the cochlea

• Semicircular tubes: filled with fluid, sends information on balance and head position to brain

• Vetibular nerve: sends balance and sound messages to the brain

• Cochlea: transforms sound into signals that get sent to the brain

• Eustachian Tube: drains fluid from middle ear into the throat behind the nose

 

Function

The outer part of the ear collects sound, which then travels through the auricle and the auditory canal. Sound entering the outer ear travels through the middle ear and causes the eardrum and ossicles in the middle ear to vibrate.  As it travels, it amplifies and changes from air waves to liquid waves. When the stapes moves, it pushes the oval window, which then moves the cochlea.  The cochlea takes the fluid vibration of sounds from the surrounding semicircular ducts and translates them into signals that are sent to the brain by the vestibular nerve and cochlear nerve. 

 

The inner ear is also responsible for balance. The semi-circular canals are lined with tiny hairs and filled with fluid. As the head moves, the fluid moves in the semi-circular canals and acts upon the tiny hairs. Those hairs send messages via the vestibularcochlear nerve to the brain and tells it how to react to outside forces. 

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Otoscope Examination

  • An otoscope is a tool used for looking through the external auditory meatus. It has a thin end that is inserted into the ear, a light used to look in the ear, and an eye piece to look through. The otoscope should be cleaned with an alcohol wipe prior to each use and when switching sides. 

• Audiology Examination - should be used during a PPE to determine hearing level prior to participation, in order to determine if auditory problems develope during athletic participation. 

  • Tinnitus - ringing in the ears

• Imaging - X-rays and CT scans may be necessary to diagnose possible fractures, ruptures, or other pathologies that aren't seen during an otoscope examination. 

 

Pathologies