The auditory meatus, also known as the ear canal, is the canal that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. The term is spelled /ɔːˈdɪtəri mɪˈeɪtəs/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first syllable is spelled with the letter A-U-D-I-T-O-R-Y and pronounced as "aw-dit-or-ee". The second syllable is spelled M-E-A-T-U-S and pronounced as "mee-ay-tus". Understanding the correct spelling and pronunciation of medical terms, such as auditory meatus, is crucial for effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients.
The auditory meatus, also known as the external auditory canal or ear canal, is a passage located in the outer ear that connects the pinna (earlobe) to the middle ear. It is a tubular structure that serves as a pathway for sound waves to travel from the external environment to the eardrum.
The auditory meatus is approximately 2-3 centimeters long and consists of cartilage and bone, covered by skin. It is slightly curved and directs sound towards the eardrum, enhancing the efficiency of sound conduction. The canal is lined with ceruminous glands, which produce cerumen (earwax), protecting the delicate structures of the middle ear from foreign particles, bacteria, and fungi.
The auditory meatus plays a vital role in the process of hearing. Sound waves enter the canal and travel down its length until they reach the eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane. The sound waves cause vibrations in the eardrum, which are then transmitted to the ossicles in the middle ear, leading to amplification of the sound. Ultimately, these vibrations are transformed into electrical signals that are interpreted by the brain as sound.
Problems that can occur within the auditory meatus include blockage due to excessive earwax, infection, inflammation, or the presence of foreign objects. These issues can cause symptoms such as pain, ear discharge, hearing loss, or tinnitus. Medical interventions such as ear irrigation, medication, or removal of foreign bodies may be necessary to address these conditions and restore proper hearing function.
Meatus acusticus, externus and internus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "auditory meatus" is formed by combining two words: "auditory" and "meatus".
The word "auditory" comes from the Latin word "audire", which means "to hear". It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "h₂ews-" or "h₂u̯es-", meaning "to perceive". "Auditory" refers to anything related to hearing or the sense of hearing.
The word "meatus" also has Latin roots and is derived from the verb "meare", meaning "to go" or "to pass". In anatomy, a "meatus" is a natural body passage or opening, typically referring to a canal or pathway.
Therefore, the term "auditory meatus" refers to the pathway or canal that leads from the external ear into the middle ear, conducting sound waves towards the eardrum.