What are these things in a cat's ears? - briefly
The small tufts of hair in a cat's ears, known as ear furnishings, help protect the ear canal from debris and enhance hearing by directing sound waves.
What are these things in a cat's ears? - in detail
The structures within a cat’s ears are intricate and highly specialized, designed to enhance their acute hearing and balance. The external ear, or pinna, is the visible part shaped to capture sound waves efficiently. It is highly mobile, allowing cats to pinpoint the direction of sounds with remarkable accuracy. Inside the ear, the ear canal leads to the eardrum, or tympanic membrane, which vibrates in response to sound. Beyond the eardrum lies the middle ear, housing three tiny bones—the malleus, incus, and stapes—that amplify sound vibrations and transmit them to the inner ear. The inner ear contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ responsible for converting these vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain for interpretation. Additionally, the inner ear houses the vestibular system, which maintains balance and spatial orientation through fluid-filled canals and sensory hair cells. Cats also possess a unique structure called Henry’s pocket, a small fold of skin at the base of the pinna, whose exact function remains debated but may aid in detecting high-frequency sounds. These components work in harmony to provide cats with exceptional auditory and balance capabilities, essential for their survival and predatory behavior.