Auditory and Vestibular System Flashcards
What is the function of the basilar membrane?
To interpret sound pitch
When the cilia of hair cells bend, what occurs?
Neurotransmitters are released that are captured in nerve fibres
Endolymph/perilymph has a much higher potassium concentration
Endolymph
What causes excitation of the hair cell?
Potassium entry
Why can outer hair cells amplify sound?
As they contain a motor protein that increases basilar membrane movement
Outline the route of sound from the cochlea to auditory cortex
Sound travels from:
Cochlea -> cochlear nucleus -> superior olive -> inferior colliculus -> medial geniculate body -> auditory cortex
What are the three cochlear nuclei of CN VIII?
Dorsal
Posteroventral
Anterovental
Where in the central pathway does sound localisation occur?
Superior olive
What measures head angular acceleration?
Semicircular canals
What measures head linear acceleration?
Saccule and utricle
Moving your head in one direction causes the fluid in the semicircular canals to move in the same direction. True/false?
False - opposite direction
Which semicircular canals form push-pull pairs?
Horizontal canals
Anterior and posterior on each side
In which plane does the saccule detect movement?
Vertical
In which plane does the utricle detect movement?
Horizontal
What is contained within the saccule and utricle that responds to movement?
Otolith crystals
