väliskõrva

Väliskõrva refers to the outer ear in Estonian. It is the visible part of the ear that projects from the side of the head and is responsible for collecting and directing sound waves into the ear canal. The väliskõrva consists of two main parts: the auricle, also known as the pinna, and the external auditory canal, or ear canal. The auricle is made of cartilage and skin and has a distinctive shape with various folds and curves. This shape helps to funnel sound waves towards the ear canal. The ear canal is a tube that extends from the auricle to the eardrum, measuring approximately 2.5 centimeters in length in adults. It is lined with skin that contains glands producing earwax, or cerumen, which helps to protect the ear canal from dirt, dust, and foreign particles. The väliskõrva plays a crucial role in hearing by capturing and channeling sound, initiating the process of sound perception. It also contributes to sound localization, helping us determine the direction from which a sound is coming.