Anatomy Exam 2 Cochlear Mechanics
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i3codc
1. What are the two essential functions of the cochlea? Converts mechanical
movements into neural
impulses (transduction)
Encoding the intensity and
frequency characteristics
of sounds
2. When studying cochlear mechanics, what main as- **the study of how the
pects of cochlear function should be examined? cochlea functions from a
physical and biomechani-
cal perspective
- How sound waves are
converted into mechanical
vibrations
- How these vibrations
propagate along the basi-
lar membrane
- How physical principles
such as resonance and
fluid dynamics contribute
to auditory signal pro-
cessing
3. How do acoustic signals normally enter the inner ear? Sound waves travel
through the external ear
canal, vibrate the tympanic
membrane, pass through
the ossicles, and move the
stapes at the oval window
to transmit sound into the
cochlea.
, Anatomy Exam 2 Cochlear Mechanics
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i3codc
4. The stapes' displacement is described as linear — No compression or en-
what does "linear" mean in this context? hancement:
The displacement reflects
the frequency and inten-
sity of the stimulus at the
oval window
5. If the oval window is closed, what alternative routes Through the round win-
allow sound to enter the inner ear? dow and bone conduction
6. Which structures of the cochlea contribute to cochlear All structures within the
mechanics? organ of Corti
7. When the oval window moves inward, what happens It moves outward
to the round window membrane?
Cochlear fluids are
non-compressible: the
oval window moves in-
ward ’the round window
moves outward
8. What is the relationship between the direction of When the stapes moves
stapes movement and the direction of basilar mem- inward at the oval window,
brane movement? the basilar membrane
moves downward; when
the stapes moves out-
, Anatomy Exam 2 Cochlear Mechanics
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i3codc
ward, the basilar mem-
brane moves upward.
9. How do sound wave movements (condensation and Condensation: stapes
rarefaction of air particles) relate to the direction of pushed inwards into scala
basilar membrane motion? vestibuli; perilymph fluid
is pushed forward; basi-
lar membrane deflected
downwards by movement
of fluid in scala vestibu-
li; RW bulges outwards to
relieve pressure
Rarefaction: stapes pulled
outwards into the mid-
dle ear, creating nega-
tive pressure; perilymph
fluid is pulled back-
wards towards the stapes;
the basilar membrane is
pulled upwards; RW is
pulled inwards
10. What causes the pressure difference across the basi- The helicotrema—the
lar membrane that leads to its motion? narrow opening at the
tip of the cochlea—cre-
ates resistance to flu-
id movement between
the scala vestibuli and
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i3codc
1. What are the two essential functions of the cochlea? Converts mechanical
movements into neural
impulses (transduction)
Encoding the intensity and
frequency characteristics
of sounds
2. When studying cochlear mechanics, what main as- **the study of how the
pects of cochlear function should be examined? cochlea functions from a
physical and biomechani-
cal perspective
- How sound waves are
converted into mechanical
vibrations
- How these vibrations
propagate along the basi-
lar membrane
- How physical principles
such as resonance and
fluid dynamics contribute
to auditory signal pro-
cessing
3. How do acoustic signals normally enter the inner ear? Sound waves travel
through the external ear
canal, vibrate the tympanic
membrane, pass through
the ossicles, and move the
stapes at the oval window
to transmit sound into the
cochlea.
, Anatomy Exam 2 Cochlear Mechanics
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i3codc
4. The stapes' displacement is described as linear — No compression or en-
what does "linear" mean in this context? hancement:
The displacement reflects
the frequency and inten-
sity of the stimulus at the
oval window
5. If the oval window is closed, what alternative routes Through the round win-
allow sound to enter the inner ear? dow and bone conduction
6. Which structures of the cochlea contribute to cochlear All structures within the
mechanics? organ of Corti
7. When the oval window moves inward, what happens It moves outward
to the round window membrane?
Cochlear fluids are
non-compressible: the
oval window moves in-
ward ’the round window
moves outward
8. What is the relationship between the direction of When the stapes moves
stapes movement and the direction of basilar mem- inward at the oval window,
brane movement? the basilar membrane
moves downward; when
the stapes moves out-
, Anatomy Exam 2 Cochlear Mechanics
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_i3codc
ward, the basilar mem-
brane moves upward.
9. How do sound wave movements (condensation and Condensation: stapes
rarefaction of air particles) relate to the direction of pushed inwards into scala
basilar membrane motion? vestibuli; perilymph fluid
is pushed forward; basi-
lar membrane deflected
downwards by movement
of fluid in scala vestibu-
li; RW bulges outwards to
relieve pressure
Rarefaction: stapes pulled
outwards into the mid-
dle ear, creating nega-
tive pressure; perilymph
fluid is pulled back-
wards towards the stapes;
the basilar membrane is
pulled upwards; RW is
pulled inwards
10. What causes the pressure difference across the basi- The helicotrema—the
lar membrane that leads to its motion? narrow opening at the
tip of the cochlea—cre-
ates resistance to flu-
id movement between
the scala vestibuli and
