The spelling of the word "meatus acusticus internus" can be a bit tricky due to its Latin origin. However, using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can help make it clearer. The correct pronunciation is 'miːətəs əˈkʌstɪkəs ˌɪntərˈnʌs', where each symbol represents a sound. The first part 'meatus acusticus' refers to the ear canal, while 'internus' refers to it being the internal opening. This term is commonly used in medical jargon when referring to the inner ear, and mastering its spelling and pronunciation can help medical professionals better communicate about patient health.
The term "meatus acusticus internus" refers to a specific anatomical structure located within the human skull. It is a Latin expression that can be translated to English as "internal auditory meatus" or "internal acoustic meatus."
The meatus acusticus internus is a small, bony canal found in the temporal bone of the skull. It serves as a passageway for several vital structures that are involved in hearing and balance. Specifically, it accommodates the vestibulocochlear nerve, also known as the eighth cranial nerve, which carries auditory and vestibular sensory information between the inner ear and the brain.
Within the meatus acusticus internus, the vestibulocochlear nerve splits into two main branches: the vestibular nerve and the cochlear nerve. The vestibular nerve is responsible for transmitting signals related to balance and spatial orientation, while the cochlear nerve carries auditory signals from the cochlea, the organ responsible for hearing.
Additionally, the meatus acusticus internus also houses a small artery known as the internal auditory artery, which supplies blood to the structures within the internal ear.
Overall, the meatus acusticus internus plays a crucial role in transmitting both auditory and vestibular sensory information between the inner ear and the brain, contributing to our ability to hear and maintain balance.
Internal acoustic or internal auditory m., a canal running from the internal auditory foramen, or acoustic pore, through the petrous portion of the temporal bone, ending at the fundus where a thin plate of bone separates it from the vestibule; it gives passage to the facial and auditory nerves and the pars intermedia of Wrisberg, together with the auditory branch of the basilar artery and the internal auditory veins.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.