Foundations of Neuroscience I - Auditory and Vestibular Systems

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts from the Foundations of Neuroscience I lecture on auditory and vestibular systems.

Auditory System

The sensory system responsible for the perception of sound.

Vestibular System

The sensory system that helps maintain balance and spatial orientation.

Basilar Membrane

A membrane in the cochlea that separates the scala tympani from the scala media and contains hair cells.

Hair Cells

Sensory receptors in the cochlea that transduce sound vibrations into neural signals.

Stereocilia

Tiny hair-like projections on hair cells that play a key role in converting sound vibrations into electrical signals.

Frequency Tuning

The property of neurons to respond to specific frequencies of sound.

Tonotopy

The spatial arrangement of where sounds of different frequency are processed in the brain.

Interaural Time Delay (ITD)

The difference in time it takes for a sound to reach each ear, crucial for sound localization.

Otolith Organs

Structure in the vestibular system that detects linear acceleration and changes in head position.

Cupula

A gelatinous structure in the semicircular canals that deflects hair cells during head rotation.

Cochlear Implants

Devices that convert sound into electrical signals to stimulate auditory nerve fibers directly.

Spiral Ganglion Cells

Neurons located in the cochlea that carry auditory information from the hair cells to the brain.

Medial Geniculate Nucleus (MGN)

A part of the thalamus that acts as a relay station for auditory signals before they reach the auditory cortex.

Pinna

The external part of the ear that funnels sound waves into the ear canal.

Sound Pressure Level (SPL)

A measure of the pressure level of sound, indicated in decibels (dB).

Euler's Diagram of Sound Localization

A conceptual framework illustrating how interaural time and intensity differences are used to localize sound.

Calcium Carbonate Crystals (Otoliths)

Small crystals located in the otolith organs that help detect gravitational pull and linear acceleration.

Tectorial Membrane

A membrane located above hair cells in the cochlea that plays a role in mechanical sound transduction.

Cochlear Nucleus

The first site of auditory processing in the brain, receiving axons from the auditory nerve.

Dorsal and Ventral Cochlear Nuclei (DCN, VCN)

Two subdivisions of the cochlear nucleus involved in different aspects of auditory processing.