Anatomy Of Cat Ear

Ear anatomy a cats ears like those of other mammals are made up of three structural areas. It consists of an outer middle and inner ear see the graphic below right.

How To Clean A Cats Ears

The outer ear middle ear and inner ear.

Anatomy of cat ear. The anatomy of your cats ear is mostly straightforward but have you ever wondered about that slit or pocket on the rim of the ear. The outer ear consists of the external earflap pinna and the ear canala narrow tubular passage through which sound vibrations enter the ear from the outside environment. Learn about cat ear anatomy and ear oddities in this post.

The inner ear is a complex structure that includes the cochlea the organ of hearing and the vestibular system the organ of balance. The cat uses these sounds for hunting. The middle ear includes the eardrum and a small air filled chamber that contains 3 tiny bones.

The shape of the cats ears allows it to funnel sound. Ear structure and function in cats. A site for cat fanciers which contains information about the various cat breeds a breeders index information concerning health and genetics examples are taken from the practice.

Like human ears the cats ear is an organ for hearing and balance. The hammer anvil and stirrup. Please watch the video below for information on how to clean your cats ears.

Check with your vet who may give you a product to wipe out the outer ear but avoid going too deep into the ear and causing more damage. This may be a significant factor contributing to the lower incidence of external ear canal infections in cats. Signs include head shaking head rubbing or attempts to scratch the ear.

Its function is unknown though it may assist in filtering sounds. Ears may be dirty because there is wax but it may be caused by ear mites or a skin irritation. It also includes 2 muscles the oval window and the eustachian tube a small tube that connects the middle ear with the back of the nose allowing air to enter the middle ear.

The external ear canal of the cat is devoid of hairs and the ear canal is well ventilated. The fold of skin forming a pouch on the lower posterior part of the ear known as henrys pocket is usually prominent in a cats ear. The ear tick found in the southwestern united states south and central americas southern africa and india is a soft shelled tick whose younger immature forms infest and live on the external ear canal of cats and other animals.

The ear tubes are lined with fine hairs that pick up sound vibrations. The outer ear consists of the ear flap also called the pinna which is usually upright in cats with the exception of specific breeds such as the scottish fold cat whose ears are folded over. The ear flap funnels sound into the ear canal.

Ear Disease