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The ear canal (external auditory meatus, external acoustic meatus), is a tube running from the outer ear
Outer ear

The outer ear is the external portion of the ear, which consists of the pinna , concha, and auditory meatus. It gathers sound energy and focuses it on the eardrum ....
 to the middle ear
Middle ear

The middle ear is the portion of the ear internal to the eardrum, and external to the oval window of the cochlea. The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which couple vibration of the eardrum into waves in the fluid and membranes of the inner ear....
. The human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum
Eardrum

The tympanic membrane , is a thin biological membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit sound from the air to the ossicles inside the middle ear....
 and is about 26 mm in length and 7 mm in diameter.

human ear canal is divided into two parts. The cartilaginous part forms the outer third of the canal and contains the cartilage and the continuation of the cartilage framework of pinna.






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The ear canal (external auditory meatus, external acoustic meatus), is a tube running from the outer ear
Outer ear

The outer ear is the external portion of the ear, which consists of the pinna , concha, and auditory meatus. It gathers sound energy and focuses it on the eardrum ....
 to the middle ear
Middle ear

The middle ear is the portion of the ear internal to the eardrum, and external to the oval window of the cochlea. The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which couple vibration of the eardrum into waves in the fluid and membranes of the inner ear....
. The human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum
Eardrum

The tympanic membrane , is a thin biological membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit sound from the air to the ossicles inside the middle ear....
 and is about 26 mm in length and 7 mm in diameter.

Structure

The human ear canal is divided into two parts. The cartilaginous part forms the outer third of the canal and contains the cartilage and the continuation of the cartilage framework of pinna. The Bony part forms the inner two thirds. The canal is approximately 26 mm long and 7 mm in diameter. Size and shape of the canal vary among individuals. This is an important factor to consider when fitting hearing protectors
Hearing protectors

Hearing protectors are devices designed to prevent Hearing impairment#Long term exposure to environmental noise , a type of post-lingual hearing impairment....
.

Disorders

The ear canal, because of its relative exposure to the outside world, is a common victim of diseases and other disorders. Some disorders include:
  • Otitis externa
    Otitis externa

    Otitis externa is an inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. Along with otitis media, external otitis is one of the two human conditions commonly called "earache"....
     (swimmer's ear), bacteria-caused inflammation of the ear canal
  • Contact dermatitis
    Contact dermatitis

    Contact dermatitis or Irritant dermatitis is a term for a skin reaction resulting from exposure to allergens or Irritation . Phototoxic dermatitis occurs when the allergen or irritant is activated by sunlight....
     of the ear canal
  • Ear fungus
  • Ear myiasis
    Myiasis

    Myiasis is an animal or human disease caused by Parasite Diptera fly larvae feeding on the host 's necrotic or living Biological tissue. Colloquialisms for Myiasis include fly-strike and fly-blown....
    , an extremely rare infestation of maggots
  • Bone exposure, caused by the wearing away of skin in the canal
  • Granuloma
    Granuloma

    A granuloma is a medical term for a ball-like collection of immune cells trying to destroy a foreign substance. It represents a special type of inflammatory reaction common to a wide variety of diseases, both infectious and non-infectious....
    , a scar
    Scar

    Scars are areas of fibrous biological tissue that replace normal skin after injury. A scar results from the biologic process of wound repair in the skin and other biological tissue of the body....
     usually caused by tympanostomy tube
    Tympanostomy tube

    A tympanostomy tube is a small tube inserted into the eardrum in order to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time, and to prevent the accumulation of mucus in the middle ear....
    s
  • Stenosis
    Stenosis

    A stenosis is an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular Organ or structure.It is also sometimes called a "stricture" .The term "coarctation" is synonymous, but is commonly used only in the context of aortic coarctation....
    , a gradual closing of the canal
  • Foreign body in ear
  • Ear mite
    Ear mite

    Ear mites are mites that live in the ears of animals. The most commonly seen species is Otodectes cynotis....
    s in animals.


Earwax

Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a yellowish, waxy substance secreted in the ear canals. It plays an important role in the human ear canal, assisting in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi
Fungus

A fungus is a Eukaryote organism that is a member of the Kingdom Fungi . The fungi are a monophyletic group, also called the Eumycota , that is phylogeny distinct from the morphologically similar slime molds and water molds ....
, and insect
Insect

Insects are the biggest class of arthropods and the only ones with wings. They are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. They are most diverse at the equator and their diversity declines toward the poles....
s. Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal and impair hearing.

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