Sisekõrv

Sisekõrv is the Estonian word for the inner ear. It is the innermost part of the vertebrate ear, containing the organs of hearing and balance. The inner ear is responsible for converting sound waves into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain for interpretation, as well as for maintaining the body's sense of balance and spatial orientation.

Anatomically, the sisekõrv consists of two main parts: the cochlea and the vestibular system. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped cavity that houses the organ of Corti, where the transduction of sound vibrations into electrical signals occurs. The vestibular system, comprised of the semicircular canals and the otolith organs (utricle and saccule), is responsible for detecting rotational and linear acceleration of the head, respectively, and sending this information to the brain to help regulate balance.

The sisekõrv is a delicate structure, and damage to its components can lead to various auditory and vestibular disorders. These can include hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and vertigo (a sensation of spinning or dizziness). Various conditions, such as infections, aging, exposure to loud noise, and certain medications, can affect the function of the sisekõrv. Medical professionals specializing in otolaryngology, or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors, diagnose and treat conditions related to the sisekõrv.