This article is one of a series documenting the anatomy of the
Human ear
Outer ear
Auricle
Ear canal
Middle ear
Tympanic membrane
Ossicles
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
Inner ear
Vestibules
Utricle
Saccule
Cochlea
Semicircular canals
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How sounds make their way from the source to the human brain
An ear is the organ that enables hearing and (in mammals) body balance using the vestibular system. In mammals, the ear is usually described as having three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of the pinna and the ear canal. Since the outer ear is the only visible portion of the ear in most animals, the word "ear" often refers to the external part alone.[1] The middle ear includes the tympanic cavity and the three ossicles. The inner ear sits in the bony labyrinth, and contains structures which are key to several senses: the semicircular canals, which enable balance and eye tracking when moving; the utricle and saccule, which enable balance when stationary; and the cochlea, which enables hearing. The ear canal is cleaned via earwax, which naturally migrates to the auricle (the visible portion of the ear). The ears of vertebrates are placed somewhat symmetrically on either side of the head, an arrangement that aids sound localization.
The ear develops from the first pharyngeal pouch and six small swellings that develop in the early embryo called otic placodes, which are derived from the ectoderm.
The ear may be affected by disease, including infection and traumatic damage. Diseases of the ear may lead to hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disorders such as vertigo, although many of these conditions may also be affected by damage to the brain or neural pathways leading from the ear.
The ear has been adorned by earrings and other jewelry in numerous cultures for thousands of years, and has been subjected to surgical and cosmetic alterations.
^"Ear". Oxford Dictionary. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
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