During the embryonic period, the human ear is schematically drawn in two directions that will colonize an area lateral cephalic pole of the embryo, which is located the primary sensory organ, the otic capsule.

The first axis is respiratory mucosa and originates in the nasal cavity of the embryo, created the route and structure of the auditory tube or Eustachian tube, to create the middle ear cavities lined with a lining of respiratory type (remnant somehow gill system of lower vertebrates).

The second is skin or skin and it arises on the side of the cephalic pole of the embryo, created the route and structure of the ear canal until the formation of the tympanic membrane or eardrum, consisting of inwards an epidermal layer (skin), a support structure (fiber) and a native of the mucous layer axis breathing.

In functional terms, the human ear contains the auditory functions and functions of balance, an important anatomical structures through complex: the facial nerve, responsible for most of the motor face and facial expression.

Auditory function is provided by the transmission system (ossicular eardrum system of the outer and middle ear), the collection system (neurosensory organ in the inner ear) and all auditory pathways that arise in the nerve hearing aid or cochlear and end on specific cortical areas in temporal. The alteration of auditory function results in deafness(or hearing loss).

The balance function is provided by the vestibule (second neurosensory organ in the inner ear) and all channels that are born in vestibular nerve or vestibular balance and end on specific cortical areas. The dysfunction of balance leads to instability or vertigo.