Ear

The Ear is the organ of hearing and balance. We have 2 ears which receive sounds at slightly different levels and at slightly different times (unless it's from exactly in front or behind). This enables us to determine the source of the sound. Each ear is constructed of 3 parts. There is the outer ear (the pinna and canal) which is made up of skin and elastic cartilage (so it pings back in place if we bend it) on the outer third, and bone on the inner third of the canal, which leads to the middle ear. The canal contains sebaceous glands which produce wax, which has some anti-bacterial properties. At the end of the canal there is the eardrum. Sound waves are funnelled into the canal and strike the eardrum, which vibrates in response.

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