Keskkõrvaõõnde

Keskkõrvaõõnde, also known as the middle ear cavity, is a small, air-filled space located within the temporal bone of the skull, medial to the tympanic membrane (eardrum). It is an essential component of the auditory system, responsible for transmitting sound vibrations from the outer ear to the inner ear. The middle ear cavity is lined with a mucous membrane and contains the three smallest bones in the human body, collectively known as the ossicles: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).

The malleus is attached to the inner surface of the tympanic membrane, vibrating with it when struck by sound waves. These vibrations are then transmitted to the incus, which in turn passes them to the stapes. The footplate of the stapes fits into the oval window, an opening into the cochlea, the sensory organ of hearing in the inner ear. Through this chain of ossicles, sound energy is amplified and efficiently transferred to the fluid-filled inner ear, where it is converted into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain for interpretation as sound.

The middle ear cavity is connected to the nasopharynx by the auditory tube (also known as the Eustachian tube). This tube plays a crucial role in equalizing the air pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane, which is vital for proper hearing. It also allows for drainage of mucus from the middle ear. Infections of the throat or nasal passages can sometimes spread to the middle ear, leading to otitis media, an inflammation of the middle ear.