VIII Nerve to Auditory Nervous System_10-31-2024

Basilar Membrane (BM)

A structure in the cochlea that moves in response to sound waves, influencing the bending of stereocilia in hair cells.

Stereocilia

Tiny hair-like structures on hair cells that bend in response to sound vibrations, initiating the process of hearing.

Depolarization

The change in electrical potential across a cell membrane, leading to the generation of a neural signal.

Cochlear Amplifier

A feedback system involving outer hair cells that enhances sound sensitivity and frequency selectivity in the cochlea.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)

Sounds generated within the cochlea, reflecting the active processes of outer hair cells, which can be spontaneous or evoked.

Afferent Fibers

Nerve fibers that carry sensory information from the cochlea to the brain.

Efferent Fibers

Nerve fibers that transmit signals from the brain to the cochlea, modulating auditory processing.

Cochlear Nucleus

The first relay station for auditory information processing in the brainstem.

Superior Olivary Complex (SOC)

A brainstem structure that integrates input from both ears, crucial for sound localization.

Tonotopic Organization

The spatial arrangement of sound frequency processing, where different frequencies are represented in distinct anatomical locations.

Auditory Cortex

The region of the brain responsible for processing auditory information, particularly speech and sound.

Heschel's Gyrus

The primary auditory cortex located in the temporal lobe, crucial for auditory perception.

Wave III of the ABR

An auditory brainstem response wave associated with processing at the level of the cochlear nucleus and SOC.

Wave V of the ABR

An auditory brainstem response wave associated with processing in the lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus.