Outer ear The outer ear is made up of the external cartilaginous part of the ear and the ear canal. The outer ear serves to 1) collect and enhance sounds and 2) function as a protective mechanism for the middle ear.

Collection and enhancement of sounds

The external, visible part of the ear functions as a kind of funnel that collects sound waves and conducts them to the ear canal.

Protection of the middle ear

The ear canal has a bend, and its shape varies from one person to another. It is typically about 2.5 cm long and has an approximate diameter of 8 mm. The bend of the ear canal prevents water and other foreign particles from entering the ear canal (like a siphon trap). Due to its shape, the ear canal enhances the sounds that are important to speech intel-ligibility.

The outer part of the ear canal wall consists of cartilage and is relatively soft, whereas the inner part is hard and bony. The eardrum is located at the end of the ear canal and forms the boundary to the middle ear.

Ear wax

The skin of the ear canal contains glands that secrete ear wax. Ear wax helps keep the ear canal free of foreign particles as it slowly flows out of the ear canal.

SEE ALSO:

Hearing

Hearing, a tour of the ear

Ear wax