Hearing is one of the most important senses.It is through him we perceive the slightest changes in the world, hear alarms, warning of the danger.The organ of hearing is very important for all living organisms, although there are those who go without him.
The man acoustic analyzer includes an outer, middle and inner ear, they are on the auditory nerve information goes to the brain, where it is processed.In the article a closer look at the structure, function and diseases of the outer ear.
structure of the outer ear
human ear consists of several departments:
- Outside.
- middle ear.
- interior.
outer ear includes:
- ear.
- ear canal.
- eardrums.
Starting with the most primitive vertebrates, which there were rumors the structure of the ear gradually becomes more complicated.This is due to a general increase in the organization of animals.First outer ear appears in mammals.In nature there are some species of birds to the ear, for example, long-eared owl.
auricle
Outside the human ear begins with the ear.It consists almost entirely of cartilage thickness of about 1 mm.It is not in its structure only cartilage earlobe: it is composed of fatty tissue and covered with skin.
outer ear has a concave shape with a curl on the edge.It is separated by a small internal recess antihelix, which aside from the auditory meatus is auricle cavity.At the entrance of the ear canal is a tragus.
ear canal
next department, which is the outer ear, - ear canal.It is a tube length of 2.5 cm and 0.9 cm in diameter. It is based on the cartilage, resembles in its form a trough opening up.The cartilage there santorievye gap that border on the salivary glands.
Cartilage is found only in the initial section of passage, then he goes to the bone.Self auditory canal is slightly curved in a horizontal direction, so when viewed from the doctor adult ear pulls rearward and upward, and in children - backward and downward.
inside the ear passage are sebaceous glands and sulfur that produce earwax.It helps to remove the chewing process, which takes place during the passage of the wall oscillation.
Ends auditory canal tympanic membrane, which closes it blindly.
eardrum connects the outer and middle ear, the eardrum.It is a translucent sheet thickness of 0.1 mm, its area of about 60 mm2.
Located eardrum relatively ear canal a little inclined and drawn into a funnel into the cavity.The greatest tension it has in the center.Behind it is already the middle ear.
avilable outer ear in infants
When a baby is born, its body to the end of the hearing has not yet been formed, and the structure of the outer ear has a number of distinctive features:
- auricle soft.
- earlobe and curl practically not expressed, they form only 4 years.
- into the ear canal of the bone missing.
- passage walls are quite close.
- Located eardrum horizontally.
- The size of the eardrum is different from that of adults, but it is much thicker and is covered with a mucous membrane.
child grows, and with it comes full development of the organ of hearing.Gradually he gets all the features of the adult auditory analyzer.
functions of the outer ear
Each part of the auditory analyzer performs its function.Ear exterior is designed primarily for the following purposes:
- reception of sound waves.
- auricle contributes to the concentration of the sounds that come from different sides of the space.
- outer ear amplifies sound.
- protective function is reduced to the protection of the eardrum from the mechanical and thermal stresses.
- Keeps constant temperature and humidity.
Thus, the functions of the outer ear are quite diverse, and the pinna us is not just for beauty.
inflammatory process in the outer ear
Quite often colds terminate inflammation inside the ear.Particularly relevant this problem in children as auditory tube they have short size, and the infection quickly enough from the nasal cavity or throat can penetrate the ear.
All inflammation in the ears can manifest itself in different ways, it all depends on the form of the disease.There are several types:
- Otitis externa.
- average.
- Inner.
cope at home only with the first two species, but the inner otitis require hospital treatment.
Considering otitis externa, it is also two forms:
- Limited.
- diffuse.
first form occurs usually as a result of inflammation of the hair follicle in the ear canal.In some ways, this is the usual boil, but only in the ear.
diffuse form of the inflammatory process covers the entire passage.
reasons otitis
reasons that can cause inflammation of the outer ear, quite a lot, but among them are often found the following:
- bacterial infections.
- fungal diseases.
- allergic problems.
- Improper hygiene of the ear canal.
- Self attempt to remove the ear plugs.
- Entry of foreign bodies.
- viral nature, although this is very rare.
cause of pain in the outer ear in healthy people
Not necessarily, if there is pain in the ear, diagnosed with "otitis media".Often, these pains can occur for other reasons:
- Walking in windy weather without a hat can cause pain in the ear.On the ear puts pressure wind and formed a bruise, the skin becomes bluish color.This condition takes place quickly enough after getting into a warm room, treatment is not required.
- swimmers also have ear pain - a frequent companion.Because while having water gets into the ears and irritating to the skin, it can lead to edema, or otitis externa.
- Excessive accumulation of sulfur in the ear passage can cause not only a sense of stuffiness, and pain.
- insufficient allocation of sulfur sulfur glands, on the contrary, accompanied by a feeling of dryness, which can also cause pain.
As a rule, if you do not develop otitis media, all the unpleasant sensations in the ear are their own and do not require additional treatment.
manifestations of otitis externa
If the doctor diagnoses a lesion of the auditory canal and the ear, the diagnosis - otitis externa.Its manifestations may be as follows:
- Pain intensity is different from completely unobtrusive to interfere with sleep at night.
- This state may last for several days, and then subside.
- ears there is a feeling of nasal itching, noise.
- During the inflammatory process may reduce the sharpness of hearing.
- As otitis media is an inflammatory disease, body temperature can rise.
- The skin around the ear may acquire a reddish tint.
- Pressing ear pain increases.
inflammation of the outer ear is to treat ENT doctor.After examination of the patient and determine the stage and severity of the disease prescriber.
Therapy limited otitis
treatment of this form of the disease is usually carried out surgically.After the introduction of painkillers produce autopsy boil and remove the pus.After this procedure, the patient's condition improved significantly.
some time will have to take antibacterial drugs in the form of drops or ointments, for example:
- «Normaks."
- «Kandibiotik."
- «Levomekol."
- «tselestoderm-In."
Usually, after a course of antibiotics, everything comes back to normal, and the patient recovers completely.
Therapy diffuse otitis
treatment of this form of the disease can only conservatively.All the drugs prescribed by the doctor.Typically, the course includes a series of measures:
- Reception antibacterial drops, for example, "Ofloxacin" "neomycin".
- Anti-drop "Otipaks" or "Otirelaks."
- Antihistamines ("Citrine" "Claritin") help relieve swelling.
- for pain appoint NIP, for example, "Diclofenac", "Nurofen."
- shown to enhance immunity vitamin-mineral complexes.
During treatment, it must be remembered that any warming procedures are contraindicated, they can be appointed only by a physician at the stage of recovery.If all the recommendations of the doctor met and passed a full course of treatment, you can be sure that the outer ear would be great.
treatment of otitis media in children
Toddlers physiology is such that the inflammation quickly spreads from the nose to the ear.If the time to notice that the child's worries ear, then the treatment will be short and simple.
doctor does not usually prescribe antibiotics.All therapy is taking fever-reducing medicines and painkillers.Parents can not recommend self-medicate, and to adhere to the doctor's recommendations.
droplets that are purchased on the recommendation of friends, can only hurt your child.When a child is sick, the appetite is usually reduced.You can not force him to eat by force, it is better to give more to drink, the toxins excreted.
If the child is too often more otitis media, there is a reason to talk to your pediatrician about vaccination.Many countries already make such vaccination will protect it from the outer ear inflammatory processes that are caused by bacteria.
prevention of inflammatory diseases of the outer ear
Any inflammation of the outer ear can be prevented.To do this, you must comply with only a few simple guidelines:
- Proper hygiene ears.Brushing must be ear sticks, only they can not be introduced into the ear for more than half a centimeter, so as not to further promote sulfur.
- In no case can not use safety pins, matches for cleaning ears.
- If you found cerumen, do not try to learn from their own ear.
- Make sure that the children did not thrust himself into the ears, and it happens quite often.
- during water treatment, it is desirable to protect ears from the ingress of water.This recommendation is especially true in open water swimming.
- strengthens the immune system, because very often otitis media occurs as a complication of colds.
If the pain in the ear do not cause great anxiety, it does not mean that we should not go to the doctor.Launched inflammation can result in much more serious problems.Early treatment can quickly cope with external otitis ear and relieve suffering.
