Definition & Meaning of "ear canal"

What is "ear canal"?

The ear canal, also known as the auditory canal or external acoustic meatus, is a passage that leads from the outer ear to the eardrum. It is a tube-like structure lined with skin and contains tiny hairs and ceruminous glands that produce earwax. The ear canal serves as a pathway for sound waves to travel from the external environment to the middle ear, where they are further transmitted to the inner ear for processing. It also helps to protect the delicate structures of the middle and inner ear by providing a barrier against foreign objects and excessive moisture.