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What is an ear hole called?

Published in Ear Anatomy 2 mins read

An ear hole can be referred to as the ear canal, also known as the external acoustic meatus or external auditory meatus (EAM).

Understanding the Ear Canal

The ear canal is essentially a pathway that leads from the outer ear to the middle ear. It's a crucial part of our auditory system.

  • Function: The ear canal's primary function is to channel sound waves towards the eardrum.
  • Location: It extends from the auricle (the visible part of the outer ear) to the eardrum.
  • Dimensions: The adult human ear canal is approximately 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) long and 0.7 centimeters (0.3 inches) in diameter.

Here's a table summarizing the key details:

Feature Description
Primary Name Ear Canal
Alternative Names External Acoustic Meatus, External Auditory Meatus (EAM)
Location Pathway from the outer ear (auricle) to the middle ear (eardrum)
Average Length (Adult Human) Approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch)
Average Diameter (Adult Human) Approximately 0.7 cm (0.3 inches)
Function Channels sound waves to the eardrum

In summary, while "ear hole" is an informal term, the correct anatomical term for the opening leading into the ear is the ear canal (or external acoustic/auditory meatus).

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