Auditory System Flashcards
What is the tympanic membrane?
- Part of outer ear/external
- Boundary between outer & middle ear
What makes up the outer ear/external?
- Auricle/pinna
- Auditory canal
- Tympanic membrane
Where does the auditory canal end?
Ends at tympanic membrane
What is within the middle ear?
Ossicles: Malleus, Incus, Stapes
What makes up the inner ear?
- Cochlea
- Labyrinth
- Vestibule (utricle & saccule)
What occurs because the auricle & auditory canal are funnel shaped?
- Direct sound inward toward tympanic membrane
- Filters sound waves as it directs them into the auditory canal
As sound waves press on tympanic membrane what does this create?
Chain reaction of vibration within ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes)
Within the middle ear describe the chain reaction after movement of tympanic membrane
Movement of tympanic membrane moves malleus which moves incus which moves stapes
Where is stapes attached?
To cochlear entrance at oval window
Arrangement of malleus, incus and stapes forms what?
- Lever
- Tympanic membrane on long arm & oval windows on short arm
How is sound waves amplified in the middle ear?
- Vibration of ossicles
- Causes stapes to push in and out of oval window
In response to loud sounds what does the tensor tympani muscle do and what is its innervation?
- Dampens movements of malleus
- Innervated by CN V
In response to loud sounds what does the stapedius muscle do and what is its innervation?
- Dampens movements of stapes
- Innervated by CN VII
Describe the general pathway that sound travels starting at auricle/ pinna
Auricle/ pinna through the external acoustic meatus to the tympanic membrane which sends vibration to ossicles to malleus to incus to stapes (taps on oval window)
What structure makes up the inner ear?
Cochlea
The cochlear duct is in center and what is it filled with?
Endolymph
The vestibular & tympanic ducts within the cochlea are filled with?
Perilymph
Where do vibrations reach the inner ear at?
Cochlea
Once the vibration reach the cochlea what happens?
- Fluid filled vibrations sent to Scala vestibuli (part of cochlea)
- Sent down and around the cochlea (through Scala vestibuli) and back out through the Scala tympani
- This pressure is released at the round window
Vibrations also get sent down the Cochlear Duct (Scala Media) which causes what?
- Basilar Membrane to vibrate
- Stereocilia & Kinocilia (rigid in tectoral membrane) move towards each other which excites