external auditory canal: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	external auditory meatus • external acoustic meatus

Photos and Videos

Cross-section diagram of the human ear showing the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, with labeled parts including the auricle, auditory canal, tympanic membrane, ossicles, cochlea, semicircular canals, and nerves.

Diagram of the human ear showing how sound waves travel through the outer ear and auditory canal to the tympanic membrane, causing vibrations in the ossicles, and then through the middle and inner ear, including the cochlea. Color-coded sections highlight the outer ear in orange, middle ear in pink, and inner ear in blue.

Black-and-white photo of a man in a suit plugging his ears with his fingers. An orange polka dot pattern is behind his head.

Know how human ears help to perceive and distinguish sounds

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

earwax Why Do We Have Earwax?earwax impaction otitis externa auricle external ear

Superficial arteries and veins of face and scalp, cardiovascular system, human anatomy, (Netter replacement project - SSC)

The Human Body