Hearing Flashcards
What is the function of the Tympanic membrane?
Conversion of sound waves into vibrations/mechanical Energy
What structures make up the outer ear?
What is their function?
Pinna: help to funnel sound waves into the ear.
Auditory Canal: carries sound waves to the middle ear.
-lined with hairs, sweat, and glands that produce earwax to prevent foreign bodies from entering the ear.
What 3 bones make up the Ossicles?
- Malleus (hammer)
- Incus (anvil)
- Stapes (stirrup)
What is the function of the ossicles?
To amplify sound vibrations by using leverage
What is the function of the Eustachian Tube?
Equalizes pressure in the ear when you swallow
What function is associated with the Oval Window?
Creates vibrations in the fluid of the cochlea as the stirrup (stapes) moves
What is the function of the Round Window?
Relieves pressure from the oval window by puffing outward, creating waves in the cochlea fluid
What is the major function of the Cochlea?
Conversion of mechanical vibrations/energy into nerve impulses
What is the function of the Basilar Membrane?
To separate frequencies spatially with narrow/stiff, and thick/elastic hairs.
What kind of hairs are near the beginning of the cochlea?
Stiff and narrow hairs that are activated by high frequencies (high pitches)
What kind of hairs are near the apex (wide end) of the cochlea?
Thick, elastic hairs that pick up low frequencies (low pitch)
What is the Basilar membrane?
-A membrane that lines the Organ of Corti with nerve fibres that end with hairs.
How is the sensation of pitch created?
By the hair cells in the Basilar membrane, which each vibrate with a different wavelength of sound.
What is the Tectorial membrane?
Fluid that sits on top of the hair cells of the basilar membrane.
How is a nerve impulse created?
By the Tectorial membrane brushing and bending the hair cells of the basilar membrane.
