The Auditory System Flashcards
What does the basilar membrane (BM) separate?
the scala media and scala tympani
What ion’s movement underlies hair cell depolarization?
K+ influx
What are otoacoustic emissions (OAEs)?
sounds created by active OHCs
The inner hair cells (IHCs) are attached to the _____.
basilar membrane (BM)
This is a Na+-rich fluid that fills the scala vestibuli and bathes the basal end of the hair cells.
perilymph
What do patients with auditory neuropathy use for sound localization?
interaural level difference (ILD)
The basilar membrane (BM) vibrates best to low frequencies near ______.
the apex of the cochlea
This is a K+-rich fluid that fills the scala media and bathes the apical ends of the hair cells.
endolymph
This is caused by the head forming an acoustic shadow between the 2 ears.
an interaural level difference (ILD)
When does the hair cell hyperpolarize?
when the stereocilia bundle is pushed towards the direction of the shortest stereocilia
What comprises the external ear?
pinna –> external auditory meatus –> tympanic membrane
Human hearing spans frequencies of ____ to ____ Hz with a peak sensitivity around _____.
20-20,000; peak = 3000
What comprises the middle ear?
the ossicles
What is the function of the medial olicocochlear neurons (MOCs)?
they’re feedback control to change the cochlear sensitivity
The ____ of sound increases when the air is compressed more forcefully, resulting in increased density of air.
intensity
What is presbycusis?
a loss of high frequency hearing
Where are the inner and outer hair cells found?
in the organ of Corti
What causes vertical displacement of the basilar and tectorial membranes?
cochlear fluid waves
What is the function of the stria vascularis?
pump K+ into the endolymph –> create (+) potential inside the scala media (the endocochlear potential)
What is the cochlear amplifier?
the mechanical amplification of the displacement of the basilar membrane (BM) by the outer hair cells (OHCs)
_____ lesions rostral to the cochlear nuclei produce bilateral deafness.
Unilateral
Movements of the basilar membrane (BM) are translated by _____ into electrical signals.
inner hair cells (IHCs)
Movements of the basilar membrane (BM) are translated by inner hair cells (IHCs) into ______.
electrical signals
Are there more type I or type II ANFs?
type I
From the inferior colliculus, fibers project mainly to the ____.
ipsilateral medial geniculate in the thalamus
_____ are innervated by efferent neurons called medial olicocochlear neurons (MOCs).
Outer hair cells (OHCs)
What comprises the inner ear?
- the cochlea
- the semicircular canals
Unilateral lesions in the inferior colliculus (IC) or more central cause ______ deafness.
bilateral
What are auditory nerve fibers (ANFs)?
the 8th CN (spiral ganglion) innervating the inner and outer hair cells
What are the 2 primary qualities of sound?
- amplitude (intensity)
- frequency
What do the cochlear fluid waves cause?
vertical displacement of the basilar and tectorial membranes
The frequency is the number of times/sec that a sound wave ______ (or ______).
reaches the peak of rarefaction; compression
Unilateral lesions rostral to the cochlear nuclei produce ____ deafness.
bilateral
What is perilymph?
a Na+-rich fluid that fills the scala vestibuli and bathes the basal end of the hair cells
The OHCs contribute up to ____ dB of the cochlea’s sensitivity to sound.
50
What is the excitatory NT in the hair cell?
glutamate
What is sensorineural hearing loss? Examples?
- damage to/loss of hair cells or nerve fibers
- ex:
- excessively loud sounds
- ototoxic drugs
- age (presbycusis)
Where is the Organ of Corti located?
in the scala media on top of the basilar membrane (BM)
What might cause a collapse of the endocochlear potential? What is the functional result?
a mutation in the gap junction subunit, connexin 32 –> decreased active transport of K+ in the stria vascularis –> congenital sensorineural deafness
This is the name for the mechanical amplification of the displacement of the basilar membrane (BM) by the outer hair cells (OHCs).
the cochlear amplifier
The dorsal acoustic stria and trapezoid body regroup to form the ______ and ascend to the _____ of the midbrain.
lateral lemniscus; inferior colliculus
What is located in the scala media on top of the basilar membrane (BM)?
the organ of Corti
What are the 3 flexible elements of the cochlea?
- oval window
- basilar membrane (BM)
- round window
What is the perceptual correlate of intensity?
loudness
Some axons from cells in the cochlear nucleus cross the midline to the _____ and _____.
dorsal acoustic stria and trapezoid body
This is a hole in the basilar membrane (BM) at the apex of the cochlea that connects the scala vestibuli to the scala tympani.
the helicotrema
What separates the scala vestibuli from the scala media?
Reissner’s membrane
The ____ is an obligatory relay and integration center for ascending auditory information.
inferior colliculus
The intensity of sound increases when _____, resulting in increased density of air.
the air is compressed more forcefully
Where are the nuclei of the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) found?
on the dorsal and lateral aspects of the inferior cerebellar peduncle
During and oscillatory sound wave the basilar membrane (BM) will move up towards the scala vestibuli during rarefaction and down towards the _____ during _____.
scala tympani; compression
Where do the 2 bifurcations of the ANF cell bodies in the spiral ganglion relay to?
- the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN)
- the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN)
Movements of the ______ are translated by inner hair cells (IHCs) into electrical signals.
basilar membrane (BM)
Why are otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) significant?
they’re the main method to test newborn hearing
What innervates the inner and outer hair cells?
CN8 (spiral ganglion)
Where do the axons of the auditory nerve fibers (CN8) go to?
the cochlear nucleus of the brainstem