Special Senses 1 Flashcards
What is the equation for the speed of sound?
m/sec = (wavelength)*(frequency)
High frequency sound has short or long wavelength?
short
[m/sec = (wavelength)*(frequency)]
What determines the intensity of sound?
The amplitude
What is the basis for sound?
Movement of air molecules
True of false: loudness can be measured by machines?
False–only amplitude
What does loudness depend on?
Both frequency and sound pressure
What is the equation for sound level pressure (dB)?
20log(P/Pr): P=sound pressure, Pr=reference pressure
What is the range of human hearing (in Hz)?
20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
What is the range of frequencies over which we hear best?
1-4 kHz
What can cause a notching an audiogram?
Killing hair cells = loss of hearing range
What are the two factors that can determine hearing loss?
How loud
How long
What is the purpose of the pinna?
Localizing sound in the vertical plane
The external auditory meatus has a resonant frequency of what? What is the purpose of this?
3,500 Hz–this increases sound pressure at the TM
What is the purpose of the Eustachian tube?
Equalize pressure in the middle ear with outside environment
What is the main function of the ossicular system?
Provides impedance match between outer and inner ear
What are the two muscles in the middle ear, and what is their innervation?
Stapedius – CN VII
Tensor tympani– CN V
Which is window that receive input from the stapes: the oval or the round? What is the other used for?
Oval
Round is for pressure balance
What is the sensory input to the middle ear attenuation reflex?
CN VIII
What is the motor output of the attenuation reflex?
CN VII to stap
CN V to tensor TM
What is the effect of Bell’s palsy on the attenuation reflex?
Loss of CN VII efferent to stapedius causing hyperacusis
Is Bell’s palsy a LMN or UMN problem?
LMN of CN VII
What is the treatment for Bell’s palsy?
Steroids to prevent swelling from CN VII
When do the middle ear muscles (stapedius and tensor tympani) contract regularly?
During speaking
What is the small coiled structure in the ear that contains the organ of Corti?
Cochlea