What is another name for the ear canal?

The ear canal is scientifically referred to as the external auditory meatus. This term describes the tubular pathway that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum (tympanic membrane). The external auditory meatus plays a critical role in directing sound waves toward the eardrum for the process of hearing. Its structure is specifically designed to resonate sound waves and to protect the inner ear from foreign objects and infections.

The other terms listed refer to different anatomical features in the ear or surrounding areas. The mastoid process is a bony prominence located behind the ear, the auditory bulla is a bony structure that houses the middle ear in some animals, and the inner ear structures include complex components like the cochlea and vestibular system, which are involved in hearing and balance but are not synonymous with the ear canal itself. This highlights the importance of understanding specific anatomical terms and their correct application in the context of audiology and hearing anatomy.