The Ear

body · hearing · balance

Three parts. The ear has three sections: the outer ear (the part you see), the middle ear, and the inner ear deep inside your head.

Tiniest bones. The middle ear holds three teeny bones called ossicles, the smallest bones in your whole body!

Built-in balance. Loopy tubes called semicircular canals in your inner ear help you stay balanced and keep your eyes steady when you move.

Spiral hearing. A snail-shaped part called the cochlea turns sound into signals your brain can understand.

Self-cleaning. Earwax slowly moves out of your ear canal on its own, carrying away dust and dirt.