Editing Inner ear (section)

{{Short description|Innermost part of the vertebrate ear}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = '''Inner ear'''
| Latin       = auris interna
| Image       = Blausen 0329 EarAnatomy InternalEar.png
| Caption     =
| Width       = 330
| Image2      =
| Caption2    =
| Precursor   =
| System      =
| Artery      = [[Labyrinthine artery]]
| Vein        =
| Nerve       =
| Lymph       =
}}
{{Ear series|expanded=Inner}}
[[Image:Gray920.png|thumb|right|Inner ear]]

The '''inner ear''' ('''internal ear''', '''auris interna''') is the innermost part of the vertebrate [[ear]]. In [[vertebrate]]s, the inner ear is mainly responsible for sound detection and balance.<ref>Torres, M., Giráldez, F. (1998) The development of the vertebrate inner ear. ''[[Mechanisms of Development]]'' 71 (1–2) pp. 5–21</ref> In [[mammal]]s, it consists of the [[bony labyrinth]], a hollow cavity in the [[temporal bone]] of the skull with a system of passages comprising two main functional parts:<ref>J.M. Wolfe et al. (2009). ''Sensation & Perception''. 2nd ed. Sunderland: [[Sinauer Associates|Sinauer Associated]] Inc</ref>
* The [[cochlea]], dedicated to hearing; converting sound pressure patterns from the outer ear into electrochemical impulses which are passed on to the brain via the [[auditory nerve]].
* The [[vestibular system]], dedicated to [[balance (ability)|balance]].

The inner ear is found in all vertebrates, with substantial variations in form and function. The inner ear is innervated by the [[eighth cranial nerve]] in all vertebrates.