Exam #6: Auditory System Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Exam #6: Auditory System Deck (33)
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1
Q

What is sound i.e. what is the physical stimulus for audition?

A

Periodic condensation and rarefaction of air molecules

*****Note you need a higher frequency tuning fork compared to vibratory sense

2
Q

What is a dB?

A

0.0002 dyne/cm2

3
Q

What is the frequency range of human hearing? What is the normal human hearing range? How does the normal hearing range change with age?

A

Absolute Range= 20 Hz - 20 kHz (cycles per second)
Normal= 20Hz to 16kHz

**There is a decline in ability to hear higher frequencies with age, called presbycusis

4
Q

What is the pressure range of human hearing?

A

0 dB- ~130 dB

5
Q

What is a notch in an audiogram? What causes this notch?

A

Frequency at which the a sound need to be much more powerful to be heard compared to adjacent frequencies in that range

**Caused by a v. loud sound that kills hair cells e.g. explosion, gunshot….etc.

6
Q

Describe the transduction of sound from outer ear to inner ear.

A
  • External ear directs sound waves into the auditory canal
  • Auditory canal transmits sound waves to the TM
  • Sound waves move TM, which moves the chain of ossicles
  • Footplate of the stapes is pushed into the oval window, which displaces fluid in the inner ear
7
Q

What part of the auditory system facilitates the equalization of pressure?

A

Eustachian tube

8
Q

What nerves innervate the inner ear muscles?

A

CN V & VII

9
Q

What is the function of contracting the inner ear muscles?

A

Protection from loud sound i.e. attenuation reflex

10
Q

What is the afferent limb of the middle ear attenuation reflex?

A

CN VIII

11
Q

What is the efferent limb of the middle attenuation reflex?

A

CN VII to stapedius m.

CN V to tensor tympani

12
Q

Lesion of what nerve/ accompanying muscle are responsible for the hyperacusis seen in Bell’s Palsy?

A

CN VII & stapedius m.

13
Q

What is the Organ of Corti? What are the different parts of the Organ of Corti? What membranes separate these three different regions

A
The Organ of Corti is the sensory transduction apparatus for audition in the cochlea of the inner ear. It contains: 
Scala vestibuli 
--Reissner's membrane 
Scala media 
--Basilar membrane 
Scala Tympani
14
Q

What fluid-type is in each region of the inner ear?

A

Scala vestibuli= Perilymph
Scala media= Endolymph
Scala Tympani= Perilymph

15
Q

What produces endolymph?

A

Stria vascularis

16
Q

Where is the base of the auditory hair cells (stereocilia)? What membrane are the tips of the auditory hair cells embedded in?

A
Base= Basilar membrane of the Scala Media 
Tip= Tectorial membrane of the Scala Media
17
Q

Outline the steps of auditory transduction.

A

1) Sound waves
2) Vibration of organ of Corti
3) Bending of cilia in Scala Media
4) Change in K+ conductance to cause depolarization & hyperpolarization
5) Oscillating receptor potential i.e. cochlear microphonic
6) Glutamate release
7) Action potential

18
Q

What is the difference between inner & outer hair cells

?

A

Inner= actual sensory receptors

  • Fewer
  • Single row

Outer=

  • More
  • Parallel rows
19
Q

What frequency of sound is heard at the base of the cochlea?

A

High 1,600 Hz

20
Q

What frequency of sound is heart at the apex of the cochlea near the helicotrema?

A

Low 25 Hz

21
Q

Outline the pathway of auditory input.

A

1) Cochlea
2) CN VIII
3) Dorsal & ventral cochlear nuclei (medulla)
4) Lateral lemniscus
5) Inferior colliculus
6) Medial geniculate nucleus of thalamus
7) Auditory cortex

22
Q

What is efferent control?

A

Olivocochlear bundle in the superior olivary complex sharpens frequency

23
Q

How do we know if the sound comes from the right or left?

A

LSO neurons encode sound location based off sound intensity

**Lateral superior olive

24
Q

For low frequency sounds, how do you determine location?

A

Time of arrival

25
Q

What are the different types of deafness?

A

Conductive
Sensorineural
Central

26
Q

What is conductive deafness?

A

Deafness caused by impaired transmission in the external or middle ear

27
Q

What is sensorineural hearing loss?

A

Deafness caused by the loss of hair cells

28
Q

What are the typical causes of conductive deafness?

A
Cerumen impaction 
Otosclerosis 
Fibrosis from OM 
OM w/ effusion 
Damage to DM
29
Q

What are the typical causes of sensorineural deafness?

A

Ototoxic drugs
Excessive noise
Vestibular Schwannoma
Meniere’s Syndrome

30
Q

What is is BAER?

A

Brainstem evoked response

31
Q

What is a response or tone-click hearing test?

A

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32
Q

What is audiometry?

A

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33
Q

Where is the primary auditory cortex?

A

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