15a. Inner Ear, Hearing and Vestibular Function Flashcards
What is the name of the eardrum?
Tympanic membrane
What is connected to the tympanic membrane?
Malleus
Name the auditory ossicles
Malleus
Incus
Stapes
What is the stapes connected to?
Oval window
What does the eustachian tube connect the middle ear to?
Nasopharynx
What are the functions of the eustachian tube?
Equalise pressure
Drain fluid from the middle ear into the throat
What is impedance?
Resistance to movement
How is impedance combatted in the ear?
Energy from the large surface area of the tympanic membrane is concentrated onto the oval window
Lever action of the ossicles amplifies vibration
What comprises the vestibular apparatus?
Utricle
Saccule
3 semi-circular canals
What information is received by the vestibular apparatus?
Balance
Co-ordination
Head positions
What lobe does information from the vestibular apparatus go to?
Temporal
What is mechanotransduction?
Sound waves are converted to nerve impulses by the displacement of fluid
What does pushing in of the oval window cause?
Movement of fluid in the scala vestibuli
What fluid is found in the scala vestibuli?
Perilymph
What cochlear labyrinth is connected to the round window?
Scala tympani
What fluid is found in the scala media/ cochlear duct?
Endolymph
What is contained in the scala media?
Organ of Corti
What separates the scala vestibuli from the scala media?
Reissner’s membrane
Which membrane separates the scala media from the scala tympani?
Basilar membrane