We all know what the ears, nose and throat look like on the outside, but do we know them from the inside out? A basic overview of their anatomy can help you better understand your body and how it works.

The ear:

The ear helps us hear the world around us and consists of the following:

• The pinna or auricle
  the outside part of the ear.
• External auditory canal/tube
  the tube that connects the outer ear to the middle/inside ear.
• The eardrum, called the tympanic membrane
  divides the external ear from the middle ear.
• Ossicles
  3 small bones that are connected and are responsible for transmitting sound waves to the inner ear.
• Eustachian tube
  a tube/canal that connects the middle ear with the back of the nose and is responsible for equalising the pressure in the middle ear for proper sound waves transfer.
• Cochlea
  contains nerves for hearing
• Vestibule and semi-circular canals
  contain receptors for balance.

The nose:

The nose is responsible for smell and is a part of the peripheral nervous system. It consists of the following:

• External nose
  this is a triangular-shaped projection situated at the centre of the face.
• Nostrils
  these are two chambers that are divided by a septum, the cartilage in the nose.
• Nasal passages
  these are passages that are lined with mucous membranes as well as cilia (tiny hairs) which help filter the air.
• Sinuses
  these are air-filled cavities that are also lined with mucous membranes.

The throat:

The throat is a ring-like muscular tube that is a passageway for air, food and liquid. It helps in forming speech. The throat consists of the following:

• The larynx
  also called the vocal box, the larynx houses the vocal cords and is responsible for speech and breathing. It also acts as a passageway to the trachea (the windpipe to the lung).
• Tonsils and adenoids
  these are lymph tissues located at the back and sides of the mouth. They are responsible for protecting the body from pathogens such as bacteria’s and viruses.
• Epiglottis
  these are located above the larynx and are responsible for pushing food into the oesophagus, therefore preventing food from entering the windpipe.