Auditory system facts for kids
The auditory system is how we hear sounds. It's a special sensory system that helps us understand the world around us through sound. Our ear is the main organ for hearing.
Structure of the ear
Your ear has three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each part plays an important role in how you hear.
Outer ear
The outer ear is the part you can see. It's made of soft material called cartilage. This part is also known as the pinna. It helps to gather sounds from the air. These sounds then travel down a tube called the ear canal.
Middle ear
Sound waves travel down your ear canal. They hit the tympanum, or eardrum. The eardrum vibrates like a drum. These vibrations then move three tiny bones:
These small bones work together. They make the sound vibrations stronger. Then, they pass these stronger vibrations to the inner ear.
Inner ear
The inner ear has a snail-shaped part called the cochlea. The cochlea is filled with liquid. When the stapes bone vibrates, it makes this liquid move. This movement turns the sound vibrations into electrical signals. These signals are then sent to your brain through neurons.
The inner ear also has semicircular canals. These canals help with your balance. They tell your brain about your head's position and movement.
Images for kids
-
Auditory ossicles from a deep dissection of the tympanic cavity
-
Lateral lemniscus in red, as it connects the cochlear nucleus, superior olivary nucleus and the inferior colliculus, seen from behind
See also
In Spanish: Sistema auditivo para niños
