Spinal Cord, Eye and Ear

These flashcards cover terminology related to the spinal cord, eye, and ear anatomy and function, focusing particularly on the ear's structure and hearing mechanisms.

Spinal Cord

A cylindrical structure encased in the spinal column, part of the central nervous system.

Ear Anatomy

The study of the structure and function of the ear, including outer, middle, and inner ear components.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear involved in hearing.

Afferent Nerve Fiber

Nerve fibers that carry sensory information toward the central nervous system.

Auditory Pathway

The neural pathway that transmits sound information from the cochlea to the auditory cortex.

Basilar Membrane

A membrane in the cochlea that plays a critical role in the process of hearing.

Hair Cells

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

Ossicles

Three tiny bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, stapes) that transmit sound vibrations.

Eustachian Tube

A canal that connects the middle ear to the throat, helping to regulate pressure.

Tympanic Membrane

Commonly known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound waves.

Outer Ear

The part of the ear that includes the pinna and ear canal.

Middle Ear

The part of the ear that houses the ossicles and is responsible for sound amplification.

Inner Ear

The part of the ear responsible for processing sound and balance, including the cochlea.

Auditory Cortex

The area of the brain that processes auditory information.

Sound Transmission

The process by which sound waves travel through different mediums to reach the auditory system.

Balance Mechanism

The function of the inner ear structures (like the vestibular system) in maintaining equilibrium.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing loss resulting from problems in the outer or middle ear.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Frequency

The number of sound wave cycles that occur per second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Amplitude

The height of sound waves, which determines the loudness of the sound.

Decibel (dB)

A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound.

Resonance

The amplification of sound due to matching frequency of the vibrations.

Perilymph

The fluid contained in the cochlear duct that helps transmit sound vibrations.

Endolymph

The fluid inside the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear, important for balance.

Otoliths

Calcium carbonate crystals located in the inner ear that assist in balance.

Auditory Feedback

The process by which auditory information is sent back to the source to adjust sound production.

Pinna

The visible part of the ear that helps direct sound into the ear canal.

Acoustic Reflex

An involuntary muscle contraction in the middle ear in response to loud sounds.

Vestibular System

The system in the inner ear responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.

Sound Localization

The ability to determine the origin of a sound in the environment.

Tinnitus

A condition characterized by ringing or buzzing in the ears without an external sound source.

Hearing Aids

Devices designed to amplify sound for individuals with hearing loss.

Cochlear Implants

Electronic devices that bypass damaged portions of the ear to provide sound signals directly to the auditory nerve.

Pure Tone Audiometry

A hearing test that uses pure tones to assess hearing sensitivity across different frequencies.