Description
Dwarfs ordinary ear models and demonstrates equilibrium with liquid-filled canals. 5 times life-size, this unbreakable polymer reproduction depicts the human organ of hearing and balance. Sagittally sectioned along the length of the auditory canal and Eustachian tube, it is easy to trace the path of sound waves entering the ear, and it becomes clear how pressure is equalized on both sides of the eardrum.
The entire middle ear chamber and the labyrinth is exposed to view. The malleus (hammer) and incus (anvil), and the attached see-through tympanic membrane lift out, as well as the entire labyrinth unit, for hands-on study. Two of the three semicircular canals are made of transparent tubing filled with colored fluid representing the endolymph. An air bubble in each will shift position when tilted, demonstrating the function of the canals in maintaining equilibrium. A spiral cutaway of the cochlea shows its three canals in contrasting colors to teach the concept of pitch.
36 hand-numbered features are identified in the accompanying key.
16x11x7 inches (41x28x18 cm).
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Auricle (pinna)
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Cartilage and skin
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External auditory canal
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Wax-producing glands
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Earlobe
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Cartilage of external auditory meatus
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Temporal bone
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Styloid process
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Tympanic (fibrocartilaginous) ring
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Tympanic membrane (eardrum)
Auditory Ossicles:
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Incus (anvil)
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Malleus (hammer)
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Stapes (stirrup)
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Anterior ligament of malleus
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Posterior ligament of incus
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Tensor tympani muscle
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Stapedius muscle
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Tympanic cavity
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Eustachian tube
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Anterior semicircular canal
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Ampulla of superior canal
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Posterior semicircular canal
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Ampulla of posterior canal
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Lateral semicircular canal
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Ampulla of lateral canal
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Vestibule
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Oval window located under stapes (vestibular window)
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Round window (cochlear window)
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Cochlea, first turn
Scala vestibuli (orange) Scala media (white) Scala tympani (blue)
- Cochlea, second turn
- Cupula
- Vestibular nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII)
- Cochlear nerve (Cranial Nerve VIII)
- Facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)
- Internal carotid artery
- Cartilaginous portion of Eustachian tube