Organ of Corti

Exam 3

primary hearing mechanism?

organ of corti

where is organ of corti located

on the basilar membrane within the scala media

what is within the organ of corti

hair cells, supporting cells, BM, and tectorial membrane

what are the supporting cells

pillar cells, inner phalangeal cells, deiter’s cells, hensen’s cells, and claudis cells

conversion process of organ of corti

sound vibrations → electrical impulses → auditory nerve → brain

how long is the BM

25-35 mm long

base of BM has __ stiffness, which is good for __ frequencies

high, high

apex of BM has __ stiffness, good for __ frequencies

low, low

what is above the organ of corti

tectorial membrane

the tectorial membrane extends from ?

spiral limbus

the underside of the tectorial membrane touches the __ stereocilia of __

tallest OHC

do inner hair cells contact the tectorial membrane?

no

shape of IHC and stereocilia

spindle, shallow u shape

how many IHC

single row

how many stereocilia per cell?

50-70

who has stronger stereocilia?

IHC 

shape of OHC and stereocilia

test tube shape, v or w shape

how many rows of OHC

rows of 3-5, but more rows at apex end

what is the tallest stereocilia called

kinocilium and makes contact with tectorial membrane

are OHC or IHC first to be affected by noise exposure

OHC

what do the inner and outer pillar cells do

form tunnel of corti

what do inner phalangeal cells do

support IHCs

what do deiter’s cells do

“seats'“ for OHCs

what do Hensen’s and claudis cells do

support OHCs

what does the reticular lamina do

separate stereocilia from hair cell bodies

reticular lamina is the __ for stereocilia, and the __ for hair cell bodies

floor, roof