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The ear is the sense organ that detects sound. The vertebrate ear shows a common biology from fish to humans, with variations in structure according to order and species. It not only acts as a receiver for sound, but plays a major role in the sense of balance and body position.
The word "ear" may be used correctly to describe the whole vertebrate ear, or just the visible portion. In most animals, the visible ear is a flap of tissue that is also called the pinna. The pinna may be all that shows of the ear, but it has only a tiny role in hearing and none at all in the sense of balance. In people, the pinna is more often called the auricle. Vertebrates have a pair of ears, each one placed symmetrically on opposite sides of the head. That arrangement aids in the ability to balance and in the ability to localize sound.
The word "ear" may be used correctly to describe the whole vertebrate ear, or just the visible portion. In most animals, the visible ear is a flap of tissue that is also called the pinna. The pinna may be all that shows of the ear, but it has only a tiny role in hearing and none at all in the sense of balance. In people, the pinna is more often called the auricle. Vertebrates have a pair of ears, each one placed symmetrically on opposite sides of the head. That arrangement aids in the ability to balance and in the ability to localize sound.