Anatomically speaking, the model can be used to understand the structure of the entire ear, consisting of the outer ear with the auricle and the external ear canal, the middle ear and the inner ear. In addition, the eustachian tube (tuba auditoria) is seen, which communicates with the nasopharynx, as well as the location of the ear in the temporal bone (os temporale).
The model can be separated into 5 separate parts as follows:
The front part of the temporal bone can be removed so that the inside of the external ear canal becomes visible.
The upper part of the temple bone can also be removed
The eardrum (membrana tympanica) with the three middle ear bones - the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus) and the stapes - can be removed and examined
The organ of hearing and balance can be removed
In the inner ear, the organs of hearing and balance are illustrated with associated nerves (N. vestibulocochlearis). The model shows both the arch canals (canales semicirculares), the vestibulum and the cochlea (the cochlea).
Of other structures, the oval and the round window (fenestra vestibuli and fenestra cochleae) can be seen on the back wall of the middle ear, and it is also seen how the middle ear is related to the A. carotis interna.
