[neilep (OP)]

Dear hearing and equilibrium Earxperts,

See this ear ?

 [ Invalid Attachment ]

it's quite happy sitting there being an ear....


From what I understand...our ears continue to grow throughout our entire lives !!...WHY's that then  ?.....

What other organs do ?..and why ?






*grumbles to self: wish other parts of me continued to grow!!*

[Karen W.]

LOL LOL..It seems we had this discussion in another thread some time back Kind Sir.. but I can't remember which one!

I think if you loose a portion of your liver it will regrow.. continue I don't know!

Stop that grumbling!! LOL!! I wish parts of me would STOP growing! LOL!

Maybe Its because of a natural loss in hearing as we age perhaps the body naturally allows the ears to become bigger to accomodate more sounds so we can hear better or something as I recall bigger ears hear better as they can take in and trap more sound in their ears with say someone with really small ears!

[Carolyn]

I've heard numerous times that our ears and noses continue to grow throughout our lives because the cartilage continues to grow.  Recently though I read that while that's true in some fish and in sharks, cartilage in humans does not continue to grow (I'll have to try an find where I read that).  The explanation (in this article) for the larger ears and noses was that as we age our nasal and ear cartilage becomes thinner and loses it's elasticity causing the tip of nose to lengthen and droop and the same for our ears.

[Karen W.]

That is interesting!

[Carolyn]

LOL LOL..It seems we had this discussion in another thread some time back Kind Sir.. but I can't remember which one!

Yes, I thought so too.  Maybe this one?

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6236

[Karen W.]

Yepperoo Carolyn... Thats the one for sure!

[neilep (OP)]

I've heard numerous times that our ears and noses continue to grow throughout our lives because the cartilage continues to grow.  Recently though I read that while that's true in some fish and in sharks, cartilage in humans does not continue to grow (I'll have to try an find where I read that).  The explanation (in this article) for the larger ears and noses was that as we age our nasal and ear cartilage becomes thinner and loses it's elasticity causing the tip of nose to lengthen and droop and the same for our ears.

Excellent answer...THANK YOU very much Carolyn.

[Karen W.]

Really Neily your ears are growing so you can accommodate a bit larger occupant! LOL!

Perhaps my Favorite, The pumpkin spider!



Or perhaps one that is a bit more cuddly and furry! Just like the fellow we housed at the preschool.. even a bit scary for me! LOL! A Lovely Tarantula if I do say so myself!




I believe he or she is also a type of Tarantula They call this one a "Grace molted"