auditory & vestibular physiology Flashcards
what fluid bathes the apical end of hair cells
endolymph
what is the ionic makeup of endolymph
high K
low Na
what is the ionic makeup of perilymph
low K
high Na
what fluid bathes the basal end of hair cells
perilymph
where is endolymph found within the cochlea
scala media
where is perilymph found within the cochlea
scala vestibuli
scala tympani
axons of the spiral ganglion project to the brainstem via what nerve
auditory nerve (aka cochlear branch of CN VIII)
where do higher frequency sounds maximally displace the basilar membrane
at the base
near the helicotrema, do higher or lower frequency sounds maximally displace the basilar membrane
low frequency
near the oval window, do higher or lower frequency sounds maximally displace the basilar membrane
higher frequency
where is the basilar membrane narrow and stiff
at the base, near the oval window
where is the basilar membrane wide and flexible
at the apical end, near the helicotrema
what kind of cells are hair cells
mechanoreceptors (specialized epithelial cells)
what fluid are the cilia of the hair cells bathed in
endolymph
what drives potassium into the hair cell
potassium concentration gradient (low K at the basal side of the hair cell) electrical gradient (high positive charge within scala media)
what does the potassium influx of the hair cell cause
depolarization of the cell => opening of voltage gated Ca channels
what does the calcium influx of the hair cell cause
realease of glutamate to afferent n. => spiral ganglion
what occurs following deflection of hair cell cilia TOWARDS the kinocilium
depolarization
what occurs following deflection of cilia AWAY FROM the kinocilium
hyperpolarization
through what channels does K enter the hair cells
TRPA1
what causes TRPA1 channels to open
when cilia deflects toward kinocilium, chain of proteins open TRPA1
what structure maintains electrochemical properties of endolymph
stria vascularis
what do inner hair cells do and how are they arranged
primary source of auditory information
arranged in one row along cochlear spiral
what do outer hair cells do and how are they arranged
act as an amplifier - boost or dampen mechanical vibrations of basilar membrane
arranged in three rows along cochlear spiral