| External acoustic meatus | |
|---|---|
| Anatomy of the human ear. | |
| Latin | meatus acusticus externus |
| Gray's | subject #229 1036 |
| Artery | anterior part: superficial temporal artery posterior part: posterior auricular artery |
| Vein | superficial temporal veins, external jugular vein, pterygoid plexus |
| Nerve | auriculotemporal nerve, great auricular nerve, auricular branch of vagus nerve |
| Lymph | superficial cervical lymph nodes, deep cervical lymph nodes |
| Precursor | groove (cleft) of the first branchial arch.[1] |
The ear canal (external auditory meatus, external acoustic meatus) (Latin: meatus acusticus externus) , is a tube running from the outer ear to the middle ear. The human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum and is about 35 mm in length and 5 to 10 mm in diameter.
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The human ear canal is divided into two parts. The fibrocartilaginous part forms the outer third of the canal, Its anterior and lower wall are cartilaginous, whereas its superior and back wall are fibrous. The cartilage is the continuation of the cartilage framework of pinna. The bony part forms the inner two thirds. The bony part is much shorter in children and is only a ring (annulus tympanicus) in the newborn.
Size and shape of the canal vary among individuals. The canal is approximately 35 mm long and 5 to 10 mm in diameter. It has a sigmoid form and runs from behind and above downward and forward. On the cross-section, it is of oval shape. These are important factors to consider when fitting earplugs.
The ear canal, because of its relative exposure to the outside world, is a common victim of diseases and other disorders. Some disorders include:
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a yellowish, waxy substance secreted in the ear canals. It plays an important role in the human ear canal, assisting in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, and insects. Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal and impair hearing.
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