Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

ear, internal
See 
ear, inner.
ear, low-set
A minor anomaly in which the ear is
situated below the normal location. Technically, the
ear is low-set when the helix of the ear meets the cra-
nium at a level below that of a horizontal plane
through both inner canthi (the inside corners of the
eyes). The presence of two or more minor anomalies
such as this one in a child increases the probability
that the child has a major malformation.
ear, malrotated
See 
ear, slanted.
ear, middle
A part of the ear that consists of the
eardrum (tympanic membrane) and, beyond it, a
cavity (tympanum). This cavity is connected to the
pharynx (nasopharynx) via a canal known as the
Eustachian tube. The middle ear cavity also contains
a chain of three little bones, the ossicles (the
malleus, incus, and stapes), which connect the
eardrum to the internal ear. The middle ear com-
municates with the pharynx, equilibrates with exter-
nal pressure, and transmits the eardrum vibrations
to the inner ear.
ear, outer
The part of the ear that is visible along
the side of the head. The outer ear consists of the
pinna, or auricle (the visible projecting portion of
the ear), the external acoustic meatus (the outside
opening to the ear canal), and the external ear
canal, which leads to the eardrum. The outer ear
concentrates air vibrations on the eardrum to make
the eardrum vibrate.
ear, slanted
A minor anomaly in which the ear is
slanted more than usual—more than 15 degrees
from the perpendicular. The presence of two or
more minor anomalies such as this one in a child
increases the probability that the child has a major
malformation. Slanted ears are a common sign of
fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Both of these con-
ditions also feature a very high rate of sensorineural
hearing loss and ear infections. Also known as mal-
rotated ear. See also 
fetal alcohol effect; fetal alco-
hol syndrome.