The next part of the external ear is the external acoustic meatus, which is an S-shaped canal that extends from the concha, through the temporal bone, to the tympanic membrane. And finally, anterior to the opening, thereвЂ™s an elevation called the tragus. Inferior to the concha, thereвЂ™s the lobule of the auricle. Right next to the concha, thereвЂ™s the opening of the external acoustic meatus. The depression in the middle of the auricle is called the concha. The smaller elevated rim parallel to the helix is called the antihelix. The elevated outer rim of the auricle is the helix. It is made of irregularly shaped cartilage covered with skin. Now, letвЂ™s take a closer look at the auricle, which is the part of the external ear that surrounds the opening of the external acoustic meatus, and funnels soundwaves towards the external acoustic meatus. The external ear is actually a complex structure made of the auricle, also called the pinna and the external acoustic meatus. LetвЂ™s start with the external ear, which is by far the most common anatomical spot to hang earrings from. Now, while the inner ear also plays a role in balance, the main role of the external and middle ear is to transfer and amplify sound to the inner ear with the help of the three smallest bones in the body: the auditory ossicles.

Together, these structures help process air vibrations as sound, and this helps us enjoy our favourite music, as well as alert us of potential threats. The ear is made up of three parts: the external, middle, and inner ear.

Middle ear