Basilar membrane
Basilar Membrane
Basilar Membrane (pronunciation: bə-ˈsi-lər ˈmem-ˌbrān) is a crucial structure in the cochlea of the inner ear. It plays a pivotal role in the mechanism of hearing by separating two liquid-filled tubes that run along the coil of the cochlea, the scala tympani and the scala media.
Etymology
The term "Basilar" is derived from the Latin word "basis" which means "base". The term "membrane" comes from the Latin "membrana" which means "skin" or "parchment".
Structure
The Basilar Membrane is a gradient structure that varies in width and stiffness from the base to the apex of the cochlea. It is wider and less stiff at the apex, while it is narrower and stiffer at the base. This gradient structure allows it to respond to different frequencies of sound, with high frequencies causing maximum displacement near the base and low frequencies causing maximum displacement near the apex.
Function
The primary function of the Basilar Membrane is to transmit sound vibrations from the ossicles to the hair cells in the organ of Corti. When sound vibrations enter the cochlea, they cause the Basilar Membrane to vibrate. This vibration stimulates the hair cells, which then convert the mechanical vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain as sound.
Related Terms
- Cochlea: The spiral-shaped part of the inner ear that is responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals.
- Scala tympani: The lower of the two passages in the cochlea. It is separated from the scala media by the Basilar Membrane.
- Scala media: The middle of the three passages in the cochlea. It is separated from the scala tympani by the Basilar Membrane.
- Ossicles: The three tiny bones in the middle ear that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea.
- Hair cells: The sensory cells in the cochlea that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals.
- Organ of Corti: The structure in the cochlea that contains the hair cells.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Basilar membrane
- Wikipedia's article - Basilar membrane
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