Which part of the ear is referred to as the outer ear?

The outer ear is specifically identified as the pinna, which is the visible part of the ear that protrudes from the head. Its primary function is to capture sound waves from the environment and funnel them into the ear canal, leading toward the eardrum. The shape of the pinna helps to localize sound sources, allowing us to determine the direction from which sounds originate.

In contrast, the cochlea is an inner ear structure involved in converting sound vibrations into nerve impulses, while the auditory nerve is responsible for transmitting these impulses to the brain for interpretation. The semicircular canals, also part of the inner ear, play a crucial role in maintaining balance rather than in hearing. Understanding the specific roles of these different ear structures clarifies why the pinna is designated as the outer ear.