Ear part 2

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to sound transduction, auditory processing, and equilibrium as described in the lecture notes.

Excitation of inner hair cells

Activation of inner hair cells through movement of the basilar membrane.

Basilar membrane

Part of the cochlea that resonates at different frequencies based on sound.

Resonance

Movement response of different areas of the basilar membrane to specific sound frequencies.

Cochlear hair cells

Cells with microvilli containing stereocilia that detect sound vibrations.

Tympanic membrane

Membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves, transmitting vibrations.

Auditory ossicles

The tiny bones that transmit vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window.

Scala vestibuli

Passage in the cochlea that transmits pressure waves created by the stapes.

Cochlear duct

Part of the cochlea where sound waves vibrate the basilar membrane.

Static equilibrium

Balance maintained when the body is at rest, monitored by vestibular receptors.

Dynamic equilibrium

Balance during movement, monitored by semicircular canal receptors.

Localization of sound

Ability to identify the direction of sound based on intensity and timing.

Perception of pitch

Brain interpretation of sound frequencies based on hair cell activation.

Detection of loudness

Determined by the frequency of action potentials from hair cells.

Auditory pathway

Pathway neural impulses follow from cochlear cells to the auditory cortex.

Outer hair cells

Hair cells that amplify sound and protect inner hair cells from loud noises.

K+ and Ca²+ ion channels

Channels that open in response to hair cell stimulation, causing depolarization.

Maculae

Sensory receptors that monitor head position and static equilibrium.

Otolith membrane

Gel-like structure in maculae that contains otoliths and helps detect head movement.

Stereocilia

Tiny hairs on hair cells that bend in response to movement and trigger neural signals.

Otoliths

Calcium carbonate stones that increase the weight of the otolith membrane.

Conduction deafness

Type of hearing loss caused by blocked sound conduction to the internal ear.

Sensorineural deafness

Hearing loss due to damage to neural structures in the auditory pathway.

Motion sickness

Condition caused by mismatched sensory signals leading to nausea and dizziness.

Vestibular receptors

Sensory cells that provide information about head movements and balance.

Visual receptors

Cells in the eyes that contribute to balance and orientation information.

Somatic receptors

Sensory receptors in the body that inform the brain about positions and movements.

Cristae ampullares

Receptor structures in semicircular canals that sense rotational acceleration.

Endolymph

Fluid in the inner ear that moves in response to head rotation.

Ampullary cupula

Gel-like structure in the semicircular canals that contains hair cells.

Vestibular ganglia

Collection of nerve cell bodies associated with vestibular function.

Hair cell depolarization

Increase in impulses sent to the brain resulting from bending of hair cells.

Hair cell hyperpolarization

Decrease in impulses sent to the brain due to opposite bending of hair cells.

Vibration amplification

Increased intensity of vibration transmitted from tympanic membrane to oval window.

Peripheral auditory system

Part of the auditory system including the outer, middle, and inner ear.

Cochlear nuclei

Nuclei in the medulla that process auditory information from the cochlea.

Medial geniculate nucleus

Part of the thalamus that relays auditory information to the cortex.

Superior olivary nucleus

Nucleus involved in sound localization by comparing signals from both ears.

Circular canals

Parts of the vestibular system that sense rotational movements.

Linear acceleration

Change in speed in a straight line, detected by maculae.

Vestibulocochlear nerve

Cranial nerve VIII that transmits information from inner ear to brain.

Labyrinth

Complex structure of the inner ear including cochlea and vestibular apparatus.

Neurotransmitter release

Process by which hair cells communicate with neurons, triggered by depolarization.

Fluid dynamics

Movement of fluids like perilymph and endolymph that influence hearing and balance.

Postural control

The ability to maintain balance and stability depending on sensory input.

Auditory cortex

Region of the brain responsible for processing auditory information.