Physiology of Auditory and Vestibular systems Flashcards
Where in the basilar membrane do high and low frequency (pitch) sounds get maximum deflection?
High - Base near the oval and round windows (narrow and stiff)
Low - apex near the helicostrema (wide and flexible)
Describe the tonotopy concept
Each sound wave is deflected at some point in the basilar membrane, depending on its frequency
Define the following
Sound
Amplitude
Frequency
- air pressure oscillations
- intensity of sound pressures (measured via dBs)
- number of oscillations per second
Why is the vibration of the basilar membrane important?
Cochlea is a closed structure, so vibration of the basilar membrane will cause pressure change = force on tectorial membrane connected to the outer hair cell stereocilia tips = movement of stereocilia
What triggers the depolarization of hair cells?
Sterocilia moves > tip links connect them all > force on all the stereocilia > TRPA1 channels open
What type of channels are the TRPA1 channels? Why is this type important?
Mechanotransduction channels. Important because capable of rapid, immediate effects and very sensitive to stimuli since they don’t require receptor potentials
*What are the features of the endolymph?
Bathe the apical end of the hair cells
Rich in potassium, low in sodium (ICF like)
Found in scala media and made by the stria vascularis
What are the features of the perilymph?
Bathe the basal end of the hair cells
Low potassium, high sodium (ECF like)
Found in scala vestibuli and tympani
Describe the depolarization of the stereocilia
K+ rich in endolymph > TRPA1 opens and lets all this K+ into the hair cell = depolarization > Ca2+ entry releases the Glu vesicles > released at synapse on the cochlear nerve afferents > AP sent to CNS
What does upward and downward basilar displacement result in hair cells?
Upward = lateral stereocilia displacement = depolarization Downward = hyperpolarization
Why are inner hair cells important for hearing?
Most cochlear nerve afferents are from the inner hair cells and these need to be depolarized to get any hearing. Outer hair cells are amplifiers
Why is the stria vascularis important?
Has processes that wrap around the capillaries of a plexus. K+ is released from the capillaries into the endolymph and bathes the stereocilia. The presence of lots of K+ in the endolymph thanks to stria vascularis helps with depolarization (reaching the threshold positive potential of +80 mV)
What is the importance of the endocochlear potential?
+80 mV. Pretty positive and maintained by stria vascularis by letting the K+ from capillaries enter to reach depolarization threshold.
What happens when stria vascularis is compromised?
Endocochlear potential is lowered and there is less depolarization of the hair cells = hearing loss
What are the features of the inner hair cells?
Source of the auditory info
Arranged in single layer
Synapse at primary afferents at spiral ganglion