gehoorgang

Gehoorgang, also known as the external auditory canal, is the tube that carries sound from the outer ear to the eardrum. In humans it measures about 2.5 centimeters in length and roughly 0.7 to 1 centimeter in diameter. It extends from the auricle (outer ear opening) to the tympanic membrane and consists of two portions: a lateral cartilaginous section and a medial bony section near the eardrum. The canal follows a slight S-shaped course, which helps protect the eardrum while guiding sound inward.

The lining of the gehoorgang is stratified squamous epithelium and contains ceruminous glands that produce cerumen, or earwax. This wax, along with hair in the cartilaginous portion, helps trap dust and microorganisms and provides a degree of protection for the delicate tympanic membrane. The canal also acts as an acoustical resonator, amplifying certain frequencies around 2.5 kHz, which can aid speech perception.

Nerve supply to the gehoorgang comes mainly from the auriculotemporal nerve (a branch of the trigeminal nerve), with contributions from the auricular branches of the vagus nerve and the greater auricular nerve. Blood supply is provided by the deep auricular artery, a branch of the maxillary artery, with additional contributions from the posterior auricular and superficial temporal arteries.

Clinical relevance: common conditions involve otitis externa (infection of the canal), cerumen impaction leading to conductive hearing loss, and foreign bodies or trauma from external instruments. Proper management focuses on hygiene, protection from moisture, and targeted treatments for infection or blockage when necessary.

Note: In Dutch, gehoorgang refers to the external auditory canal described here. See also external auditory canal; earwax.