Page 100 - Design in Nature

98 DESIGN IN NATURE

vestibule
anvil oval canal
hammer stirrup window cochlea cochlea duct
tympanic canal
bone
sound wave external auditory canal pressure
wave

middle
outer ear
eardrum ear

The three bones in the middle ear function as a bridge between inner ear
the eardrum and the inner ear. These bones, which are connected
to one another by joints, amplify sound waves, which are then
transmitted to the inner ear. The pressure wave that is created by the contact of the
stirrup with the membrane of the oval window travels inside the fluid of the cochlea. The
sensors triggered by the fluid start the "hearing" process.

Now the sound "greetings" becomes an electrical signal, which quickly
travels to the brain through the auditory nerves. This journey inside the
nerves continues until reaching the hearing centre in the brain. As a result,
in the person's brain, the majority of the trillions of neurons become busy
evaluating the visual and audio data gathered. This way, the person receives

and perceives his friend's greeting. Now he returns the greeting. The act of
speaking is realised through perfect synchronisation of hundreds of muscles
within a minute portion of a second: the thought that is designed in the brain
as a response is formulated into language. The brain's language centre,
known as Broca's area, sends signals to all the muscles involved.
First, the lung provides "hot air". Hot air is the raw material of speech.

The primary function of this mechanism is the inhalation of oxygen-rich air
into the lungs. Air is taken in through the nose, and it travels down the
trachea into the lungs. The oxygen in the air is absorbed by the blood in the
lungs. The waste matter of blood, carbon dioxide, is given out. The air, at this

point, becomes ready to leave the lungs.
The air returning from the lungs passes through the vocal cords in the