The two areas of the ear involved in hearing only are the (A) inner and middle, (B) inner and external, (C) external and middle, (D) none of the above.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is (C) external and middle.
Hearing involves the transmission of sound waves through the external ear, middle ear, and inner ear. However, the two primary areas involved in the actual process of hearing are the external and middle ear.
Explanation:
- External Ear:
The external ear consists of the auricle (or pinna) and the external auditory canal. The auricle collects sound waves from the environment and funnels them through the auditory canal towards the eardrum (tympanic membrane). The external ear’s primary function is to gather sound waves and direct them to the middle ear. - Middle Ear:
The middle ear consists of the eardrum and three tiny bones called ossicles (the malleus, incus, and stapes). When sound waves hit the eardrum, it vibrates, causing the ossicles to move. These bones amplify the vibrations and transmit them to the oval window of the inner ear. The middle ear acts as a mechanical system that converts the sound waves into vibrations, which are then sent deeper into the ear. - Inner Ear:
The inner ear includes the cochlea, which contains sensory cells that convert vibrations into electrical signals. However, while the inner ear plays an essential role in hearing, it is not directly involved in the initial reception and transmission of sound; that happens in the external and middle ear.
In summary, the external and middle ear work together to capture and amplify sound waves, which are then transmitted to the inner ear for further processing. The inner ear is crucial for translating these vibrations into neural signals that the brain interprets as sound. Therefore, the areas specifically involved in hearing (sound reception and amplification) are the external and middle ears.