耳介の作用に関する一考察

A CONCEPT ON THE FUNCTION OF THE AURICULA

　Ⅰ．緒言

　耳介の機能についての文献を検討すると，一部にはその大きさ，形態の複雑さから考えて，あまり大きな意義を持つていないとするものもある。

　しかし，耳介が自由音場においてある位置を占める時，その特殊な形態よりある音響特性を示すことは当然予想される。とくに波長の短い高音域に対しては，耳介の存在を無視することは出来ないであろう。

Although many reports consider the func-tion of the auricula as being an organ facili-tating sound concentration, yet there seem to be no unified Opinion as to whether it is parabolic or hornal, in type. The author has previously reached a conclusion that, by noting the difference in electrical response of the cochlea in cats with and without the auricu-la, the latter organ in this animal seemed to have a special function of being hornal in type. The experiment was carried further by constructing artificial metallic auricula and upon which was measured their capability of producing light reflex. It was concluded that such auricula cannot be considered as to be functioning parabolic in type.