Review on Cochlear Physiology Flashcards
What is the BV pathway to the internal auditory artery?
Starts from Vertebral A. to Anterior inferior cerebellar to A.-Internal auditory A.-common cochlear A. main cochlear A.
Describe the spiral modiolus artery (5):
Modiolar blood bed (supplies to SGNs)
Radial A. to the lateral wall—stria vascularis and others
VSBM (vessels of basilar membrane) may supply Organ of Corti
Capillary network to Collecting vein to spiral modiolus vein-back to larger vessels
What are the 7 branches in the cochlea and their targets?
To corner between spiral ligament and RM (1)
To SV (2)
To spiral Prominence (3)
To Spiral ligament (4)
Spiral limbus (5)
VSBM +spiral lamina (6)
Spiral ganglion (7)
What is the contact and blood supply to the OC?
No direct contact or supplies of blood to organ of Corti
Which of the 7 branches provides nutrition to OC
VSBM
Describe the capillary beds in the lateral wall:
In stria vascularis and spiral ligament
Blood vessel in the spiral ligament takes the major portion of blood supply of the cochlea
What is the role of the thick vessels in the spiral ligament?
Thick vessels in spiral ligament provide short circuit, to adjust blood flow via stria vascularis
The separation between endolymph and perilymph is established by _____________
Tight Junction
High K and positive potential in endolymph is generated and maintained by ________________________
Stria Vascularis
Most energy consumption in cochleae is by__________________________
the organ of Corti
What can we compare perilymph with?
Comparing with CSF and blood serum (suggests barrier between CSF and Blood)
Where is the perilymph generated?
Origin from serum at supra-ligament, and limbus regions
What is the movement particularity of perilymph?
The movement of electrolytes is followed by water through filtering, water movement is passive, and Ions pass first
Perilymph communicates with the CSF through the____________________
Cochlear aqueduct
What is the location for the reabsorption of perilymph?
Below BM at medial and lateral ends
What is evidence that there is a barrier between the blood and perilymph?
- Tracer kinetics: the tracer takes time to get into perilymph from the blood
- Ion differences between the two compartments
- Specificity and competitive inhibition: the existence of a special transportation system
What is the composition of endolymph?
Composition high in potassium and low in sodium
Where does endolymph originate from?
Originates from perilymph, via Stria vascularis not directly from blood
In the endolymph, transportation of K produces an ___________________
K transportation an EP generation
What is the one-pump model?
We have Two-cells, marginal and intermedial cells (currently accepted theory)
What is the role, location, and potential of marginal cells?
Role of marginal cells, pump face scala medious, positive intracellular potential
What is the role of intermediate cells?
Provide a source of potassium that can go through the ion channels below
What are the ion channels involved in the one-pump model between intermediate and marginal cells?
KCNJ10, Na-2Cl-K co-transporter (Gene SLC12A2),
KCNQ1-KCNE1 marginal cell
What is the meaning and pathway of the standing current?
Current flow without sound
Stria vascularis- OC - ST - back to Stria Vascularis
What are the 2 recycling pathways of potassium?
HC-SC-fibrocytes-StV
HC-cortilymph-SC-fibrocytes-StV
What are the cells involved in potassium recycling? (2)
supporting cells, fibrocytes
What are the special structures involved in K pathway and recycling?
Gap junction HC-SC-fibrocytes-StV cells
What are the two important proteins in the cochlea that form the gap junction?
Cx26, Cx30
What is one of the main causes of Genetic hearing loss?
Loss GJB2/6 (Most important proteins forming the gap junction Cx26, Cx30)
What happens to hearing from a mutation of GJB2?
50% autosomal non-syndromic are mutations of GJB2 which cause recessive HL, profound at birth
Is k-recycling theory correct for the hearing loss by GJB mutation? (2)
Lack of solid evidence that potassium recycling is broken down after mutation
Many HL-associated mutations of Cx26 does not disrupt K recycling
What are the characteristics of Type l ANF?
% or numbers
Shapes
myelination
Targets
Innervation patterns and names of fibers
Functions
95%
Bipolar
Myelinated
IHC
Afferent SGN Inner Radial fibers convergent innervation
What are the characteristics of Type ll ANF?
% or numbers
Shapes
myelination
Targets
Innervation patterns and names of fibers
Functions
5%
Pseudomonopolar,
Unmyelinated
OHC
Afferent Outer spiral fibers
Less known functions
What are ribbon synapses and what are their functions?
Ribbons shape synapses in retina cells (horseshoes), and in IHCs (American football)
Long-lasting release/response is common for all ribbon synapses, distinguished from conventional synapses, and fast release/response which is special for ribbon synapses in cochleae
What are the molecular components of ribbon synapses? (5)
ribeye A+B, Bassoon, otoferlin, CaV1.3, piccolino