Taste, Smell, Hearing, and the Voice. 265 



The Parts of the Ear. The parts of the ear are the 

 external, the middle, and the internal ear. 



The External Ear. The external ear gathers the sound 

 waves, and directs them into the opening of the ear, but 

 the loss of the external ear does not seriously interfere 

 with hearing. The passage leading inward from the ear 

 extends about an inch, and is then completely shut off 



Stirrup Anvil 



Semicircular Canals "' -^ 



PHARYNX. 



Fig. 103. Structure of the Ear. 



from the cavities beyond by a thin membranous partition, 

 the tympanic membrane or drum skin. This passageway 

 is guarded by hairs, and is further protected by wax 

 secreted by glands of the lining. 



The Middle Ear. Beyond the membrane of the tym- 

 panum is a cavity called the middle ear. Extending across 

 the cavity of the middle ear is a chain of very small bones, 

 the hammer, anvil, and stirrup, the hammer being attached 

 to the inner surface of the membrane of the tympanum, 



