Anatomy of Auditory System

Question 0

auditory canal

Answer 0

air channel leading to TYMPANIC MEMBRANE (eardrum)

Question 1

Pinna

Answer 1

outer ear

individually distinct

we learn to use echoes in localization

most mammals can orient pinna to sound

Question 2

Ossicles

Answer 2

3 tiniest bones in the body

Malleus/hammer

Incus/Anvil

Stapes/Stirrup

jointed into a lever system that converts vibration of large Tympanic Membrane into high intensity vibration of the oval window

Question 3

oval window

Answer 3

a membrane at the BASE of the upper chamber of the Cochlea

Question 4

Cochlea

Answer 4

snail shaped (coiled) tube w/3 fluid filled chambers:

top (Scala Vestibuli)

mid (Scala Media)

bottom (Scala Tympani)

Question 5

fluid is vibrated by…

Answer 5

….oscillation of Stapes against Oval Window

Question 6

Vibration travels from…

Answer 6

… Base of top chamber to Apex (tip), around to Round Window at Base of bottom chamber, and back

this sets up a vibration in the Scala Media

Question 7

Transduction

Answer 7

conversion of env energy into neural signal

occurs in the Scala Media