Ears, Nose And Throat

What are the ears, nose and throat?

The ears, nose, and throat are interconnected structures involved in the sensory perception of sound, smell, and taste, as well as the regulation of breathing and vocalisation.

The ears are responsible for detecting sound waves and transmitting them to the brain for interpretation. They are anatomically divided into the external ear, middle ear, and inner ear, each with specific functions related to balance and hearing.

The nose is the first part of the airways and is part of the respiratory system. It is responsible for the sense of smell and plays a vital role in filtering, warming, and humidifying the air we breathe. Inside the nose, there is bone, hairs or cilia, cartilage that make up the side walls, septum, paranasal sinuses, and nerve cells, among others. The openings of the nose are known as the nasal passages or nasal passages separated by the nasal septum.

The throat, also known as the pharynx, connects the nasal cavity and mouth to the oesophagus and larynx. It plays a crucial role in swallowing and vocalisation. It is a tube that functions as a conduit for the passage of food, liquids, and air. In the throat are also the vocal cords for the formation of speech. In the throat are the tonsils and adenoids that protect the body from infections, the larynx where the vocal cords are, and the epiglottis that separates the airway from the digestive system.

What are the main functions of ears, nose and throat?

The ears, nose, and throat have distinct functions, as well as some overlapping roles.

The ears detect noise by sound waves that travel from the environment to the outer ear in the form of sound waves or vibrations. These waves hit the eardrum and transmit the vibrations to the ossicles of the middle ear. These ossicles are in charge of amplifying sound waves to transmit them to the inner ear. In the inner ear, sound waves are transformed into electrical impulses to travel through the auditory nerve to the brain where they are finally perceived as sounds.

The ears also contribute to balance through the vestibular system located in the inner ear. It detects changes in head position and movement, providing input to the brain to help maintain equilibrium and body balance.

The nose is responsible for receiving air from the environment and taking it to the lungs. In the nose, the air is heated and filtered, trapping particles and microorganisms with the cilia and phlegm. Odours are also perceived in the nose and travel in the form of an electrical impulse through the olfactory nerve to the brain.

The nasal passages and sinuses in the nose contribute to voice resonance by modifying the airflow during speech. They help shape and amplify sound waves, enhancing the quality and resonance of the voice.

The throat serves essential functions in swallowing and vocalisation. It allows for the passage of food and liquids from the mouth to the oesophagus, facilitating digestion. The larynx, also known as the voice box, produces sounds through the vibration of the vocal cords. When air passes through the larynx, the vocal cords adjust and vibrate, producing various pitches and tones that form speech and vocalisations.

What other body parts or organs make up the ears, nose and throat?

Pinna (external ear): It collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal.

Ear canal: It carries sound waves to the eardrum.

Eardrum (tympanic membrane): It vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits them to the middle ear.

Middle ear: It contains the three small bones (ossicles) that amplify sound vibrations.

Inner ear: It converts sound vibrations into electrical signals and helps maintain balance.

Eustachian tube: The Eustachian tube is a narrow passage that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, helping to equalise air pressure and drain fluid from the middle ear.

Nostrils (external openings): They allow air to enter the nasal passages.

Nasal passages: They warm, humidify, and filter the air we breathe.

Nasal septum: It divides the nasal passages into two halves.

Sinuses: They are air-filled spaces connected to the nasal passages that help lighten the skull and produce mucus.

Epithelial tissue: Epithelial tissue is a type of tissue that covers the surface of nasal passages, the respiratory tract, and the inner surfaces of the throat, providing protection, secretion, absorption, and sensation.

Pharynx: It is the passageway for air and food, connecting the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx and oesophagus.

Larynx (voice box): It houses the vocal cords and is responsible for producing sound.

Tonsils: The tonsils, also known as amygdales or adenoids, help protect against infections by trapping bacteria and viruses.

Palate: The palate is the roof of the mouth, separating the oral and nasal cavities, and it plays a role in speech, swallowing, and the sense of taste.

Tongue: The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth that aids in tasting, swallowing, speaking, and maintaining oral health.

Saliva: Saliva is a watery fluid produced by the salivary glands that helps in lubricating the mouth, initiating digestion, and protecting the oral tissues.

Phlegm: Phlegm is a thick, mucus-like substance produced by the respiratory system that helps to trap and eliminate foreign particles, bacteria, and irritants from the airways.