One of the most unique human organs is the auricle. It is distinguished by a very complex structure, but sufficient simplicity in the process of functioning. The human auricle is capable of receiving various sound signals, amplifying them and converting them into electrical impulses from the simplest vibrations.
Structure of the ear
The ear organ has a paired structure, that is, on the left and right sides of the human head, it is located along the ear. They are located in the temporal part of the skull, to which they are attached with the help of rudimentary muscles. We will not be able to independently study the structure of the organ, since we can only see the outer part - the auricles. Our ears are able to perceive sound signals, the length of which per unit of time is from 20 thousand mechanical vibrations.
They also have a process of blood supply, which is supported by three arteries: temporal, parotid and posterior. There is a huge number of blood vessels of different sizes that provide thermoregulation.
The main advantage of the ear, or rather, irreplaceable,is a person's ability to hear. All thanks to the following parts:
- outer ear - is directly auricle and passage;
- middle ear - includes the tympanic membrane, ossicles, Eustachian tube and middle ear cavity;
- inner ear - consists of mechanical sounds, cochlea and labyrinth system.
This division is due to the specifics of performing key duties.
Auricle functions
Each part of the ear performs its specific tasks:
- capturing audio signals;
- transformation of sounds for further transmission to the ear canal;
- reception and processing of distorted frequencies for orientation on the ground;
- protecting the eardrum from damage;
- thermoregulation;
- Protection of the ear canal from dust.
Structure of the auricle
This part of the ear is responsible for receiving any sound waves and frequencies. The shell is a receiver of signals and a repeater in the ear canal. Consider the external auricle, which includes such basic parts as:
- tragus;
- lobe;
- antitragus;
- anti-helix;
- curl;
- rook.
The outer ear consists of an elastic cartilage of a dense structure in the form of a funnel-shaped plate, which is completely covered by the skin. Below is a fold of skin and adipose tissue - the lobe. This structure of the auricle is not very stable and, toUnfortunately, it is very sensitive even to any mechanical damage. A striking example is our professional athletes, especially boxers and wrestlers. Their shells are severely deformed as a result of frequent damage.
At the top of the cartilage of the auricle, there is a curved edge - a curl, and an antihelix is located in parallel. Thanks to all the bends, the incoming sounds are distorted.
In the center of the auricle, just behind the tragus and antitragus, is the external auditory canal. This is a curved channel through which sound vibrations pass to the middle ear. Outside, its walls consist of cartilaginous tissue, and inside there is already bone tissue.
tragus
Outwardly, it looks like a small growth covered with skin. It would seem, what functions can this part of the outer ear have? But not everything is so simple. There is not a single non-functional element in our body. Tragus needed for:
- protecting the ear canal from dirt;
- identifying the noise source;
- help in reflecting sound coming from the back or side;
- possibility to detect some ear diseases.
Depending on the individual structure of the human ear, the tragus comes in different shapes and sizes. He, like the ear, is considered a paired element. The countertragus acts as its pair.
Lobe
This is the only part of the ear that contains a dermal fatty structure. It performs a signaling function by changing the color of the skin. For example, the red color of the lobe indicates that blood circulation has increased,and a pale or yellowish color, on the contrary, says that the blood supply is not enough. If the tone is closer to blue, then it is obvious that the whole organism is hypothermia. Thanks to the lobe, you can even determine that there are some problems with the functioning of the rectum. Acne and pimples will tell about this.
Curl
Upper and outer edge of the ear. Just like the tragus, it refers to the paired part of the auricle. As a couple, an anti-helix acts. Rather, they play the role of transforming mechanical signals from the outside, which are further converted and go further into the ear canal. On a curl, you can quickly tell about the person himself. For example, if he is wide and protruding, then you have a person who stands firmly on the ground, very practical and logical. If the curl is thin and narrow, then the person is definitely more creative, spiritual, with a fine organization of the soul. But if, looking at the anti-helix, you can see its protrusion, this indicates that the person has a very developed intuition.
Rook
This is a groove on the auricle, located between the curl and the antihelix. The purpose is to receive sound frequencies and process them.
Sound perception
People are accustomed to perceive the ears only visually, as a kind of aesthetic element, focusing their attention on the lobes, decorating them with various accessories. But few people think about the importance of human auricles. The outer ear for a person is a "mouthpiece",collecting various sounds from the outside. Have you noticed that when we need to listen to quiet sounds, we unconsciously put our palm to our ear? Thanks to this manipulation, the area of \u200b\u200bthe auricle increases, which makes it possible to increase the attraction of incoming signals.
Catching sounds and the process of listening with the ears are essential for determining the direction of a sound source. Depending on the side, the speed of sound reaching may be different. For example, signals arriving from the side reach the nearest ear a few decimals faster than the other. It is precisely this small difference in time that is enough for us to clearly understand which side the sound is coming from.
If during a conversation you pull the auricles towards the interlocutor, then the flow of sound waves will increase. They will be reflected from the surface and, with the help of various individual folds, transform sounds - the voice of the interlocutor will become louder and deeper. Conversely, if you close your ears or begin to move them away from the interlocutor, then his voice will become more muffled, and the number of sounds will be significantly reduced.
In the process of perception of any sound signals, all the folds, bends and indentations of the auricle play a very important role. All the elements located on it act as reflective surfaces that transform complex sounds into simpler ones. Therefore, it is easier for a person to perceive those of them, the source of which is in front of or above him, than those that come from behind or from below. By the way, the movements of the head itself also affect the perception of sound waves.
In 1973, an interesting experiment was conducted in which the subjects were deprived of all the curves and waves located in their auricles. This was done through special polymer plugs, which filled all the recesses. The results of such an experiment showed that the accuracy of determining the localization of sounds decreased significantly. However, after some time, when the subjects adapted and got used to it a little, the quality of picking up sounds was restored.
