Kuulmisrajatised

Kuulmisrajatised refers to the anatomical structures within the ear responsible for the processing of sound. This complex system allows for the detection and interpretation of auditory stimuli. The external ear, comprising the auricle (pinna) and the external auditory canal, collects sound waves and directs them towards the eardrum. The middle ear, a small air-filled cavity, houses the tympanic membrane and the ossicles: malleus, incus, and stapes. Vibrations of the eardrum are amplified and transmitted through these tiny bones to the oval window, an opening into the inner ear.

The inner ear is where the magic of hearing truly happens. It contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure. Within the cochlea are specialized sensory hair cells, the auditory receptors. As the stapes vibrates the oval window, it creates pressure waves in the cochlear fluid. These waves stimulate the hair cells, which then convert the mechanical energy into electrical signals. These signals are transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. The vestibular system, also located in the inner ear, is responsible for balance and spatial orientation, though it is distinct from the auditory functions of the cochlea. Together, these kuulmisrajatised form the intricate pathway for our sense of hearing.