Oval window

Definition

The oval window is a membrane-covered opening that separates the middle ear from the inner ear in the human body. It plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the ear ossicles to the fluid of the cochlea.

Related terms

Cochlea:

A spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear that transforms sound vibrations into nerve impulses.

Ear Ossicles: Three small bones in the middle ear known as the malleus, incus, and stapes, that transmit sound vibrations to the oval window.

Auditory Tube (Eustachian Tube): A tube that connects the middle ear to the pharynx and helps equalize pressure on both sides of the eardrum