AURICULAR FISSURE Meaning and
Definition
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Auricular fissure, also known as the external acoustic meatus or auditory canal, is a small, tube-like passage in the outer ear that connects the auricle, or the visible external part of the ear, with the middle ear. It serves as a conduit for sound waves to travel from the external environment to the eardrum, enabling the process of hearing.
Measuring approximately 2-3 centimeters in length, the auricular fissure is one of the essential components of the ear structure. It begins at the opening of the ear canal, called the external auditory orifice, and extends inward towards the middle ear. The canal is lined with specialized skin cells that produce wax, also known as cerumen, which helps protect the ear by trapping dust, dirt, and foreign particles.
The auricular fissure is responsible for collecting sounds from the surrounding environment and channeling them towards the tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum. This small, delicate structure separates the external ear from the middle ear. As sound waves pass through the canal, they cause the eardrum to vibrate, which in turn transfers these vibrations to the middle ear.
The external ear canal is composed of cartilage and bone, providing a protective framework for the delicate structures within the ear. It also contains tiny hair follicles and glands that secrete earwax. In addition to its role in hearing, the auricular fissure also plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of air pressure on both sides of the eardrum, preventing discomfort or damage that can be caused by pressure changes.
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Fissura tympanomastoidea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AURICULAR FISSURE
- auricular fissuru
- auricular fissurm
- auricular fissura
- auricular fissurg
- a uricular fissure
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- auricu lar fissure
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- auricula r fissure
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Etymology of AURICULAR FISSURE
The word "auricular fissure" originates from the Latin roots "auris" meaning "ear" and "fissura" meaning "a split or cleft". The term is specifically used in anatomy to describe a narrow opening or cleft in the external ear.
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