One of the most unique human organs is the auricle. It is characterized by a very complex structure, but sufficient simplicity in the process of functioning. The auricle of a person is able to receive various sound signals, amplifying them and converting them into electrical impulses from the simplest vibrations.
Ear structure
The ear organ has a paired structure, that is, on the left and right sides of the human head is located on the ear. They are located in the temporal part of the cranium, to which they are attached with the help of vestigial muscles. We will not be able to independently study the structure of the organ, since we can only see the external part - the auricles. Our ears are able to perceive sound signals, the length of which per unit time is from 20 thousand mechanical vibrations.
They also have a blood supply process that is supported by three arteries: temporal, parotid and posterior. There is a huge number of blood vessels of various sizes that provide thermoregulation.
The main advantage of the ear, or rather, indispensable, is the ability of a person to hear. All this thanks to the following parts:
- outer ear - represents the auricle and the passage;
- middle ear - includes the eardrum, the ossicles, Eustachian tube and the middle ear cavity;
- inner ear - consists of mechanical sounds, a snail and a system of labyrinths.
This division is associated with the specifics of performing key responsibilities.
Auricular functions
Each part of the ear performs its specific tasks:
- catching sound signals;
- transformation of sounds for further transmission into the auditory canal;
- receiving and processing distorted frequencies for orientation on the ground;
- protection of the eardrum from damage;
- thermoregulation;
- protection of the ear canal from dust.
The structure of the auricle
This part of the ear is responsible for receiving any sound waves and frequencies. The sink is a receiver of signals and a repeater in the ear canal. Consider the outer auricle, which includes such basic parts as:
- tragus;
- the lobe;
- anti-tragus;
- antihelix;
- 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 with skin. Below is a fold of skin and adipose tissue - the lobe. This structure of the auricle is not very stable and, unfortunately, is very sensitive even to any damage to mechanical stress. 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 in parallel is an anti-helix. Thanks to all the bends, the incoming sounds are distorted.
In the center of the auricle, immediately behind the tragus and protivokozelok, is the external auditory canal. This is a curved channel through which sound vibrations pass into the middle ear. Outside, its walls are made up of cartilaginous tissue, while bone tissue is already inside.
Tragus
Outwardly, it looks like a small growth covered with skin. It would seem, what functions of this part of the outer ear can generally be? But not so simple. In our body there is not a single non-functional element. The tragus is necessary for:
- protect the ear canal from dirt;
- determination of the source of noise;
- help in reflecting sound coming from the back or side;
- the ability to identify certain ear diseases.
Depending on the individual structure of the human ear , the tragus is of various shapes and sizes. He, like the ear, is considered a paired element. As its pair, an anti-tragus acts.
Lobe
This is the only part of the ear that contains the skin fat structure. It performs a signal 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 flow is not enough. If the tone is closer to blue, then it is obvious that there is hypothermia of the whole organism. Thanks to the lobe, you can even determine that there are some problems in the functioning of the rectum. Acne and acne appear on this.
Curl
The upper and outer edge of the ear. Just like a tragus, it refers to the paired part of the auricle. An antihelix acts as a pair. Rather, they play the role of transforming mechanical signals from the outside, which are subsequently transformed and enter further into the auditory canal. By curl, you can quickly tell about the person himself. For example, if he is wide and prominent, then you are 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 subtle organization of the soul. But if, looking at the anti-helix, you can see its protrusion, this suggests that a person has a very developed intuition.
Rook
This is a groove in the auricle located between the curl and the anti-helix. The purpose is to accept sound frequencies and process them.
Sound perception
People are accustomed to perceive ears only visually, as a kind of aesthetic element, focusing their attention on the earlobes, decorating them with various accessories. But few people think about the importance of the human ears. 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 the quiet sounds, we unconsciously put our hands on our ears? Thanks to this manipulation, the area of the auricle increases, which allows you to increase the attraction of incoming signals.
Sound capture and ear listening are important in determining the direction of a sound source. Depending on the side, the speed of sound may be different. For example, the signals coming from the side, somewhere by several decimal fractions, reach the nearest ear faster than to the other. This small time difference is enough for us to clearly understand which side the sound is coming from.
If during the 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. And vice versa, if you squeeze your ears or start to push them away from the other person, then his voice will become more muffled, and the number of sounds will be significantly reduced.
In the process of perceiving any sound signals, all the folds, bends and deepening of the auricle play a very important role. All 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 bends and waves located in their auricles. This was done through special polymer plugs that filled all the recesses. The results of such an experiment showed that the accuracy of determining the localization of sounds significantly decreased. However, after a while, when the subjects adapted a little and got used to it, the quality of sound capture was restored.