väliskuulmekäiku

Väliskuulmekäik, also known as the external auditory canal or ear canal, is a tube that transmits sound from the auricle to the tympanic membrane. It is approximately 2.5 centimeters long and 0.7 centimeters in diameter in adults. The outer third of the canal is cartilaginous, while the inner two-thirds are bony. This canal is lined with skin that contains hairs and glands producing cerumen, commonly known as earwax. Cerumen serves to protect the ear canal by trapping dust and foreign particles, and it also has antibacterial properties.

The shape and direction of the external auditory canal can vary slightly between individuals. In children, the canal is shorter and more horizontal, which can make them more prone to ear infections. The skin within the ear canal is thin and sensitive, and irritation can lead to discomfort or pain. Sound waves travel through the väliskuulmekäik, causing the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear. Any blockages or inflammation within the väliskuulmekäik can affect hearing. Common conditions affecting this area include earwax impaction, otitis externa (swimmer's ear), and foreign bodies. Proper hygiene involves cleaning the outer ear only, as the ear canal has a self-cleaning mechanism.