What part of the outer ear is responsible for collecting sound waves?

The pinna, also known as the auricle, is the external part of the ear that is responsible for collecting sound waves. Its unique shape helps to funnel sound into the ear canal, enhancing the ear's ability to capture sounds from various directions. The ridges and grooves of the pinna play a crucial role in helping to determine the direction of sound, which is essential for locating where a sound is coming from.

While the ear canal serves as a passage for sound waves to reach the inner structures of the ear, it is not responsible for collecting sound; rather, it acts as a conduit. The cochlea is a part of the inner ear involved in translating sound vibrations into nerve signals, and the tympanic membrane (eardrum) is a membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves, but it does not collect sound itself. The pinna's role in collecting and directing sound waves makes it vital in the process of hearing.