Sensory system - Auditory system

13 important questions on Sensory system - Auditory system

Where does the middle ear consist of?

Tympanic membrane, chain of auditory ossicles and eustachian tube

Where does the inner ear consist of?

Bony labyrinth, membranous labyrinth and inner acoustic meatus

With what is the membranous labyrinth filled?

Endolymph (+- intracellular fluid)
high in K+ and low in Na+

-> inside bony labyrinth
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Where is the endolymph from the membranous labyrinth produced?

Stria vascularis

What are the parts of the membranous labyrinth?

Saccule, utricle, three semicircular canals and the cochlea (with organ of Corti)

Of what three compartments does the cochlea consist?

Ascending tract, descending tract and organ of corti

Where does the organ of Corti consists of?

Outer hair cells and inner hair cells

What is characteristic for the outer hair cells?

Three rows
Stereocilia embedded in tectorial membrane
Contractile

What is characteristic for the inner hair cells?

One row
Stereocilia can freely move

How does the organ of Corti work?

Vribations of the air cause the basilam membrane to move, (scala vestibuli -> scala media -> scala tympani) which results in the movement of the hair cells. This causes a signal

So, each frequency causes max resonation of basilar membrane at specific location along its length. This results in local stimulation of the organ of Corti. This results in local stimulation of the neurons in the spiral ganglion. This eventually results in stimulation of a specific area of primary auditory cortex.

What is characteristic for the basilar membrane?

Very stiff at the starting point and very thin at the end. So, each point along its length will resonate best at a specific frequency (the eigenfrequency). A high frequency at the beginning and a low frequency at the end point.

To which structures is the information from the ear passed to?

- To inferior colliculus
  • from infC to superior colliculus
  • from infC to thalamus nucleus (medial geniculate nucleus)
    • From thalamus to primary auditory cortex

What is directional hearing?

The intensity and time of arrival till a signal is compared for both ears. In this way you can distinguish from which side the sound is coming (left or right).

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