Ihmiskorvalle

Ihmiskorvalle, also known as the human ear, is a complex sensory organ responsible for hearing and maintaining balance. It is divided into three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

The outer ear consists of the visible part, the auricle or pinna, and the external auditory canal. The auricle collects sound waves and directs them into the auditory canal, which leads to the eardrum. The eardrum, a thin membrane, vibrates when struck by these sound waves.

The middle ear begins at the eardrum and contains three small bones called ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These ossicles transmit the vibrations from the eardrum to the oval window, an opening into the inner ear. The middle ear also houses the Eustachian tube, which connects to the back of the throat and helps equalize pressure within the middle ear.

The inner ear is the innermost part and contains the cochlea and the vestibular system. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure filled with fluid and lined with tiny hair cells. As vibrations from the middle ear cause the fluid in the cochlea to move, these hair cells are stimulated and convert the mechanical energy into electrical signals. These signals are then sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are interpreted as sound. The vestibular system, located alongside the cochlea, is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. It contains fluid-filled canals and sacs that detect head movements and position, sending this information to the brain for maintaining equilibrium.