Auditory Nerve and CANS

Question 1

The auditory nerve continues to fine tune the information from the inner ear, as in the input does not equal the output.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The core of the auditory nerve is composed of _____ frequency fibers and the circumference is composed of ____ frequency fibers

Answer 2

Low
High

Question 3

Define characteristic frequency

Answer 3

The frequency for which a given auditory nerve fiber’s threshold is the lowest

Question 4

As frequency increases, the sharpness of tuning curves…

Answer 4

Increases

Question 5

As intensity increases, the sharpness of the tuning curve

Answer 5

Broadens

Question 6

What is spontaneous firing rate?

Answer 6

The ability to generate an action potential even without external stimulation

The rate at which neurons generate action potentials without external stimulation

Question 7

Name the all relay stations of the classical ascending auditory pathway

Answer 7

Auditory Nerve
Cochlear Nucleus
Super Olivary Complex
Lateral Lemniscus
Inferior Coliculus
Medial Geniculate Nucleus
Auditory Cortex

Question 8

At which point in the ascending auditory pathway does binaural input first occur?

Answer 8

Superior Olivary Complex

Question 9

What is a post stimulus time histogram?

Answer 9

Histograms of the timing of firing of neurons

Question 10

Name two main reasons binaural integration is important:

Answer 10

Sound localization
Binaural summation

Question 11

Not all auditory input goes through the lateral lemniscus

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Why does the right ear advantage occur? And what role does broca’s area play in this?

Answer 12

Occurs because auditory inputs from the right ear cross over to left hemisphere first, before crossing the corpus callosum.
Broca’s area is in the left hemisphere and is essential for language processing and production.

Question 13

Name the two descending central auditory nervous system pathways and what they do,

Answer 13

Corticofugal System
Olivocochlear System
Modulate sensitivity and activity of the cochlea

Question 14

What is the purpose of the auditory brainstem response? And which structures does it evaluate?

Answer 14

Measures integrity of the brainstem and auditory system
Distal AN, Proximal AN, CN, SOC, LL and IC

Question 15

Electrocochleography essentially measures wave _____ of the ABR

Answer 15

I and II

Question 16

Why is efferent innervation of the outer hair cells important?

Answer 16

Contributes to the cochlear amplifier and allows for fine tuning in response to an ongoing stimulus

Question 17

Label the CANS pathway

Answer 17