The Ear
 

The small cavity between the eardrum and inner ear conducts sound to the inner
ear by 3 tiny bones called the malleus (the hammer), the incus (the anvil), and the
stapes (the stirrup). The inner ear contains the cochlea (a coiled structure
responsible for hearing), the semicircular canals (concerned with balance), and the
vestible. The vestibule is an oval cavity that contains the saccule and utricle, which
communicate with the cochlea and semicircular canals. The vestibular nerve passes
impulses from the inner ear to the brain and is associated with balance; the
cochlear nerve--part of the vestibular nerve--is associated with hearing.

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