Round window

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Round Window

The Round Window (pronunciation: /raʊnd ˈwɪndoʊ/) is a significant structure in the human ear. It is one of the two openings into the cochlea of the inner ear, the other being the oval window.

Etymology

The term "Round Window" is derived from its round shape and its function as a 'window' for transmitting sound vibrations into the inner ear.

Function

The Round Window serves as a flexible barrier, allowing the fluid in the cochlea to move. When the stapes bone in the middle ear vibrates, it causes the fluid in the cochlea to move. This movement is accommodated by the flexibility of the Round Window, which bulges out when the pressure in the cochlea increases, and retracts when the pressure decreases.

Clinical Significance

In some cases, the Round Window can be involved in medical conditions such as perilymph fistula, a condition where there is an abnormal connection between the inner ear and the middle ear. This can lead to symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.

Related Terms

  • Cochlea: The spiral-shaped part of the inner ear that is responsible for converting sound vibrations into nerve impulses.
  • Oval Window: The membrane-covered opening that leads from the middle ear to the vestibule of the inner ear.
  • Perilymph: The fluid that fills the space between the bony labyrinth and the membranous labyrinth in the inner ear.
  • Stapes: The innermost of the three ossicles in the middle ear, and the one that is in contact with the oval window.

External links

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