In utero drug exposure and hearing impairment in 2-year-old children A case-control study using the EFEMERIS database

The ear is composed of three parts: the outer ear (pinna, ear canal), middle ear (tympanic cavity, three ossicles), and inner ear (cochlea containing the organ of Corti and hair cells). The inner ear is the first to develop. The cochlea starts to grow around the 5th pregnancy week and has completed two and a half turns at the 10th week. Ciliated sensory cells of the organ of Corti develop from the 12th to the 20th weeks. At the 22th week, the inner ear has reached its adult size and shape. In the middle ear, the ossicles start to differentiate around the 8th week.
Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Source Type: research