Loud, But Not Clear Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pinna

The pinna, or auricle, mainly consists of cartilage or fatty tissue. It includes the helix, antihelix, concha, tragus, and the lobe. Its function is to collect sound which is then passed through to the middle ear.

Answer: Auditory canal

The auditory canal has two main functions. The first is to carry sound from the outer ear to the middle ear. The second is to protect the ear from infection by filtering out dust and debris with its very fine hairs. The end result is cerumen, or earwax, which is then excreted from the body.

Answer: Tympanic membrane

The tympanic membrane, or eardrum, is approximately 1cm in size and is made of skin, fibrous material, and mucus. The delicate membrane vibrates as the sound passes through and these vibrations then transfer to the middle ear.

Answer: Eustachian tube

The Eustachian tube was named after Italian anatomist, Bartolomeo Eustachi, in the 16th century. One of its key roles is to equalise air pressure in the middle ear and drain any mucus to stop infection. A popping sound can sometimes be heard when we swallow or yawn and this happens when air pressure is released from the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.

Answer: Ossicles

Another set of names for the ossicles is hammer, anvil and stirrup. The three small bones help carry sound from the eardrum, through the middle ear and in to the inner ear.

Answer: Oval window

The stapes bone, or stirrup, is attached to the oval window. The sound waves which have come through the middle ear vibrate against the thin membrane of the oval window. This membrane is attached to the cochlea at the entrance to the inner ear.

Answer: Labyrinth

The labyrinth is a network of passages which consists of three parts; the cochlea, vestibule and semi-circular canals. It is here that the sound waves from the middle ear turn into nerve signals transmitted to the brain.

Answer: Cochlea

From the oval window, sound vibrations reach the shell shaped cochlea which releases fluid like the motion of a wave. Inside the cochlea is the organ of Corti which is situated on the basilar membrane. It is here that you can find between 16,000 and 20,000 minute hairs which stimulate nerve signals to the brain.

Answer: Utricle and saccule

Just past the cochlea is the vestibule. Inside are two sac like organs called the utricle and saccule, collectively known as otolithic organs. They have an important role to play as they deal with equilibrium and balance by detecting motion and degree of tilt of the head.

Answer: Semi-circular canal

The three canals, superior, horizontal, and posterior, are all located sitting at right angles with each other within the semi-circular canal. They are filled with fluid and the motion of body movement causes the fluid to move against hairs, which in turn send signals to the brain. If you stop moving suddenly, the fluid keeps moving which causes a dizzy sensation.