Parts of the Ear Diagram
Free printable parts of the ear diagram — a labeled cross-section showing the pinna, ear canal, eardrum, the three tiny bones, cochlea and more. Download PDF or PNG for Letter paper.
The parts of the ear
The ear collects sound and turns it into signals the brain can understand. Here is what happens at each labeled part of the diagram:
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pinna | The outer part of the ear that catches sound waves. |
| Ear canal | The tube that carries sound to the eardrum. |
| Eardrum | A thin membrane that vibrates when sound hits it. |
| Hammer | The first of three tiny bones; it passes the vibrations along. |
| Anvil | The middle bone that carries vibrations to the stirrup. |
| Stirrup | The smallest bone in the body; it passes vibrations to the cochlea. |
| Cochlea | A spiral tube that turns vibrations into nerve signals. |
| Auditory nerve | Carries the signals from the cochlea to the brain. |
| Eustachian tube | Connects the middle ear to the throat and balances air pressure. |
Companion worksheet
A free fill-in worksheet with an answer key, built from the labels above — students match each part to its description, then answer a couple of short questions. Great for a quick check after using the diagram.
How to print
Choose Download PDF for a ready-to-print file that fits US Letter paper (8.5 × 11") in landscape, or Download PNG for the high-resolution image.
Frequently asked questions
What are the parts of the ear?
The ear has an outer part (pinna, ear canal), a middle part (eardrum and the hammer, anvil and stirrup bones) and an inner part (cochlea and auditory nerve).
What are the three tiny bones in the ear?
They are the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup — the three smallest bones in the body.
What paper size should I print this on?
The diagram is sized for standard US Letter paper (8.5 × 11") in landscape orientation. Use "Download PDF" for a print-ready file that fits the page automatically.