Kuuloihin

Kuuloihin is a Finnish term that translates to "ears" in English. It specifically refers to the organs responsible for hearing and balance in the human and animal body. The external part of the ear, visible on the side of the head, is called the auricle or pinna. This part collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal.

Further inside the ear, sound waves travel down the ear canal to the eardrum, a thin membrane that vibrates when struck by these waves. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear, a small air-filled cavity containing three tiny bones: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These bones amplify the vibrations and pass them to the inner ear.

The inner ear contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped structure filled with fluid and tiny hair cells. The vibrations cause the fluid to move, stimulating the hair cells. These hair cells convert the mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain via the auditory nerve. The brain interprets these signals as sound. In addition to hearing, the inner ear also houses the vestibular system, which is crucial for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. Damage to any part of the ear can result in hearing loss or balance problems.