An ear cross-section is a detailed anatomical view that shows the internal structures of the ear, typically sliced horizontally or vertically to reveal its layers. The ear consists of three main parts: the outer ear (pinna and ear canal), the middle ear (eardrum, ossicles), and the inner ear (cochlea, vestibular system). In a cross-sectional view, you can observe how sound waves travel through the ear, starting at the outer ear, vibrating the eardrum, passing through the middle ear’s ossicles, and reaching the cochlea in the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals for the brain. This cross-sectional diagram helps in understanding the structure and function of the ear in hearing and balance.