Question

Which of the following parts of the ear contains ear canal?
A. Inner ear
B. Middle ear
C. Pinna
D. Outer ear

Answer 1

The ears are paired organs and are the vital organs used for hearing. The ears also act as the organs of balance in the humans. The ears help in localization and catching the sound waves for the purpose of hearing.

Complete answer:
In humans, the ear is divided into three distinct portions which are the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The portion of outer ear is visible to the outside and it consists of the pinna and the ear canal. The outer canal is connected with the middle canal and it continues to the inner canal.
The outer canal is the outermost portion of the ear and is visible. It includes a fleshy portion that is known as the pinna, ear canal and the outer layer of the eardrum or the tympanic membrane. Pinna consists of an outer curving rim that is known as the helix while inner curved rim is known as the antihelix. The antihelix opens into the ear canal.
The ear canal is a canal that continues from the outer canal to the middle canal. It is also called as external auditory meatus or EAM. It is divided into two parts which are the anterior portion and superior portion. The anterior portion is made up of cartilaginous tissues while the superior part is fibrous in nature. The cartilage is present in continuation with the outer pinna and this part consists of small hairs and other specialized sweat glands. These glands are known as apocrine glands and produce cerumen or the earwax.
The bony portion of the ear canal is covered by a thin layer of epithelium and it is much thinner and very sensitive in nature. The ear canal may vary in size among individuals but it has a sigmoid form.
Middle ear consists of the tympanic membrane and three ossicles namely malleus, incus, stapes.
The inner ear contains a bony labyrinth in a complex cavity. The central area is known as vestibule and it is connected to semicircular canals and cochlea.
Thus, the right option is D.

Note: The ear is divided into three parts which are the outer ear, followed by the middle ear and then the inner ear. The outer ear contains a muscular pinna, a canal known as the ear canal and the outer membrane of the tympanic membrane. The ear canal is present in the outer canal. It is made up of both bony and cartilaginous parts.