Relationship of Ear, Nose, and Throat

 

DEFINITION
The location and function of the ear, nose, and throat are closely related. Abnormalities in these organs are diagnosed and treated by a specialist called otolaryngologist.
EAR
The ear is an organ for hearing and balance, which consists of the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. The outer ear captures sound waves that are converted into mechanical energy by the middle ear. The middle ear converts mechanical energy into nerve waves, which are then delivered to the brain. The inner ear also helps maintain body balance.
The outer ear consists of earlobes (pinna or auricle) and ear canal (external auditory meatus). The outer ear is cartilage which is coated with the skin, the ear is stiff but also flexible. The sound captured by the earlobe flows through the ear canal to the eardrum. The eardrum is a thin membrane lined with the skin, which separates the middle ear with the outer ear.The middle ear consists of the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and a small air-filled space with 3 small bones connecting the eardrum with the inner ear.Google for Business: Device P
The three bones are:

• Maleus (shaped like a hammer, attached to the eardrum)
• Inkus ( malleus and stapes)
• Stapes (attached to the oval window at the entrance to the inner ear).

The vibration of the eardrum is mechanically reinforced by the bones and delivered to the oval window.
The middle ear also has two small muscles:

• Tympani tensor muscle (attached to the males and keep the eardrum stick)
• Stapedius muscle (attached to stapes and stabilizes the relationship between stapedius and oval window.

If the ear receives a loud sound, then the stapedius muscle will contract so that the bones of the bones become more rigid and fewer sounds are delivered. This response is called acoustic reflex, which helps protect the fragile inner ear from damage by sound.
Tuba Eustatius is a small channel connecting the middle ear with the back of the nose, allowing the entry of outside air into the middle ear. Tuba Eustatius opens when we swallow, thus helping to keep the same air pressure on both sides of the eardrum, which is essential for normal hearing and comfort functions.
The inner ear (labyrinth) is a complex structure, which consists of 2 main parts:

• Cochlear (auditory organ)
• A semicircular canal (balance organ).
  

The cochlea is a hollow-shaped tube shaped like a snail's house, made up of viscous fluid and Corti organs, which contain thousands of tiny cells (hair cells) that have hair that leads into the fluid. The vibration of sound that is transmitted from the hearing bone in the middle ear to the oval window in the inner ear causes the vibration of fluid and hair cells. Different hair cells respond to different sound frequencies and convert them into nerve waves. These nerve waves then travel along the auditory nerve fibers that will take them to the brain.
Although there is protection from acoustic reflexes, but the noise can cause damage to hair cells. If the hair cell is damaged, he will not grow back. If the ear continues to receive loud sounds then there can be progressive hair cell damage and reduced hearing.
 
The semicircular channel is 3 fluid-filled channels, which helps to maintain balance. Every head movement causes the cue inside the mobile channel. The movement of fluid in one channel can be greater than the movement of fluid in the other; this depends on the direction of head movement.
This channel also contains hair cells that respond to fluid movement. These hair cells initiate nerve waves that convey messages to the brain, in which direction the head moves, so that balance can be maintained. If an infection occurs in the semicircular canal, (as occurs in middle ear infection or flu), vertigo may occur.
NOSE

The nose is the olfactory organ and the main road in and out of the air from and to the lungs. The nose also provides additional resonance to the sound and is the site of the sinus paranasal and tear ducts. The upper nose consists of the lower bone and nose consisting of cartilage (cartilage). Inside the nose, there is a cavity separated into 2 cavities by the septum, which extends from the nostrils to the back of the throat.
 
The bone called konka nasalis protrudes into the nasal cavity, forming a number of folds. These creases cause an increase in the area of the air surface. The nasal cavity is lined with mucous membranes and blood vessels. The extent of the surface and the number of blood vessels allows the nose to warm and moisturize the incoming air immediately.
The cells in the mucous membrane produce mucus and have small bulges like hair (cilia). Usually, the dirt that enters the nose is caught by the mucus, then swept by the cilia toward the nostrils or to the throat. This helps to clear the air before entering the lungs. Sneezing automatically cleans the nasal passages in response to irritation, while a cough clears the lungs.
The barrier cells are in the upper nasal cavity. These cells have a cilium that lead downward (into the nasal cavity) and upward-pointed nerve fibers (to the olfactory bulb, which is the protrusion of every olfactory nerve / scalding nerve). The olfactory nerve directly leads to the brain.
SINUS PARANASALIS
The bone around the nose consists of paranasal sinus, which is a hollow space with a hole that leads to the nasal cavity.There are 4 groups of paranasal sinuses:

• Sinus maxillary
• Sinus ethmoidal
• Frontal Sinus
• Sinus sphenoid.
  

With this sinus:

• the weight of the facial bones becomes reduced
• bone strength and shape maintained
• the sound resonance increases.
  

The sinus is coated by a mucous discharge consisting of mucus-producing cells and cilia. Particles of incoming sewage captured by mucus and then swept by cilia into the nasal cavity. The drainage from the sinuses can be blocked, so the sinus is very sensitive to infectious and inflammatory (sinusitis). 
THROAT
The throat (pharynx) is located behind the mouth, under the nasal cavity and above the esophagus and the air tube (trachea).The throat is subdivided into:

• nasopharynx (top)
• oropharynx (center)
• hypopharynx (lower part.

The throat is a muscular channel where food travels into the esophagus and where air travels to the lungs. The throat is coated with a mucous membrane consisting of mucus-producing cells and cilia. Incoming sewage is captured by mucus and swept by cilia into the esophagus then swallowed.
Tonsils (tonsils) are located in the back of the mouth, while the adenoid is located in the back of the nasal cavity. Tonsils and adenoids consist of lymph tissue and help fight infection. The largest size is found in childhood and will slowly shrink.
At the top of the trachea, there is a voice box (laughing), which contains the vocal cords and functions to produce sound. If it relaxes, the vocal cords form a V-shaped opening so that air can pass freely. If it contracts, the vocal cords vibrate, producing a voice that can be changed by the tongue, nose, and mouth so that conversation takes place.

read too : Nose (sense of smell)

The epiglottis is a sheet consisting mainly of cartilage and is located above and in front of the larynx. During swallowing, the epiglottis closes to prevent the ingress of food and fluids into the trachea.