What does a cat's ear look like inside? - briefly
The inside of a cat's ear features a delicate, funnel-shaped canal lined with fine hairs and wax-producing glands, leading to the eardrum, which separates the outer and middle ear.
What does a cat's ear look like inside? - in detail
The internal structure of a cat’s ear is a complex and highly specialized system designed for acute hearing and balance. The ear is divided into three main sections: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. The outer ear consists of the visible pinna, which is funnel-shaped to capture sound waves, and the ear canal, which leads to the eardrum. The ear canal is lined with fine hairs and glands that produce wax to protect against debris and infections. The middle ear houses the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, which vibrates in response to sound. Behind the eardrum are the ossicles, three tiny bones—the malleus, incus, and stapes—that amplify and transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear. The inner ear contains the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ filled with fluid and hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals sent to the brain. Additionally, the inner ear includes the vestibular system, responsible for balance, consisting of the semicircular canals and otolith organs, which detect head movements and orientation. The entire structure is highly sensitive and finely tuned, allowing cats to detect a wide range of frequencies and maintain exceptional agility.