The ear can be divided into three parts -- the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The part of the ear which we can see is known as the outer ear or pinna. It is shaped like a funnel. This shape helps it to collect sounds, which are then passed to the inner ear.

　　The outer ear is connected to the middle ear by a canal called the ear canal*. At the end of the canal is a tightly stretched piece of skin called the ear-drum.

　　The middle ear lies on the inner side of the ear-drum. It contains three small bones -- the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup. These are joined to each other in a chain.

　　The inner ear contains the cochlea which looks like a coiled shell. The cochlea is filled with liquid. There are nerves in the inner ear which carry sound messages to the brain.

　　Do you know how you hear the sounds around you? Your outer ear collects the sounds and passes them into the middle ear. The sounds cause the ear-drum to move to and fro, or vibrate. When the ear-drum vibrates it makes the chain of small bones vibrate too. This, in turn, causes the liquid in the cochlea to move. When this happens, sound messages are sent to the brain by the nerves.

　　Like your eyes, you should take good care of your ears. You should not put sharp objects into your ears. If you do, you may hurt them. If you have an ear-ache or if your hearing is poor, you must see a doctor.