Inimkõrv

inimkõrv is an Estonian word that translates to "human ear" in English. It refers to the external and internal organs responsible for hearing and maintaining balance in humans. The external ear, known as the auricle or pinna, collects sound waves. These waves then travel through the ear canal to the eardrum, a thin membrane that vibrates. These vibrations are amplified by the three small bones in the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes. The stapes transmits the vibrations to the cochlea, a fluid-filled, spiral-shaped cavity in the inner ear. Within the cochlea, specialized hair cells convert these vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are interpreted as sound. The inner ear also contains the vestibular system, which is crucial for balance and spatial orientation. Damage or dysfunction of any part of the inimkõrv can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, or problems with balance.