Inner ear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Inner ear |
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| The cochlea and vestibule, viewed from above. | |
| Latin | auris interna |
| Artery | labyrinthine artery |
The inner ear is the innermost part of the vertebrate ear. It is mainly responsible for sound detection and balance. In mammals, it consists of two main working parts inside a bony labyrinth:
- The cochlea, dedicated to hearing; converting sound pressure patterns from the outer ear into electrochemical impulses which are passed on to the brain via the auditory nerve.
- The balance system. This has three semi-circular canals, which are set at right angles to each other.
The inner ear is found in all vertebrates, with many variations in form and function. The inner ear is supplied with the eighth cranial nerve in all vertebrates.
Images for kids
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Inner ear
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The cochlea and vestibule, viewed from above.
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Ear labyrinth
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Inner ear
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Temporal bone
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Right human membranous labyrinth, removed from its bony enclosure and viewed from the antero-lateral aspect
See also
In Spanish: Oído interno para niños
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Inner ear Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.