hallószerv

A hallószerv, or auditory organ, is the sensory organ responsible for hearing. In humans and many other vertebrates, it is a complex structure that not only detects sound but also helps maintain balance. The hallószerv can be divided into three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

The outer ear consists of the auricle (pinna) and the external auditory canal. The auricle collects sound waves and funnels them into the auditory canal. At the end of the auditory canal is the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, which vibrates when struck by sound waves.

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity containing three small bones called ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These ossicles transmit the vibrations from the eardrum to the oval window, an opening to the inner ear. The middle ear also includes the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and helps equalize pressure.

The inner ear is the most intricate part of the hallószerv. It contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped structure filled with fluid and lined with tiny hair cells. These hair cells convert the mechanical vibrations into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are interpreted as sound. The inner ear also houses the vestibular system, composed of the semicircular canals and the vestibule, which are responsible for detecting changes in head position and movement, thus contributing to balance. Damage to any part of the hallószerv can lead to hearing loss or balance disorders.