SUMMARY TABLE: IMPORTANT STRUCTURES RELATED TO AUDITION

Question 2

Outer ear

Sound collection

Answer 2

PINNA

Question 3

Outer ear

Resonating tube that conducts sound from the outer to middle ear

Answer 3

Auditory canal

Question 4

Middle ear

Movement begins the process of translation of sound waves to neural signals

Answer 4

TYMPANIC MEMBRANE

Question 5

Middle ear

Deliver vibration to the oval window of the cochlea

Answer 5

Ossicles

Question 6

Inner ear

Fluid-filled structure containing auditory receptors

Answer 6

COCHLEA

Question 7

Inner ear

Frequency discrimination

Answer 7

Inner hair cells

Question 8

Inner ear

Amplify responses to sound energy

Answer 8

Outer Hair Cells

Question 9

Inner ear

Source of fibers synapsing with hair cells; forms auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII) that connects to the medulla

Answer 9

Spiral Ganglion

Question 10

Medulla

Receives input from the spiral ganglion

Answer 10

Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus and Ventral Cochlear Nucleus

Question 11

Medulla

Transmits information from the ventral cochlear nucleus to the inferior colliculi; important for sound localization

Answer 11

Superior Olive

Question 12

Midbrain

Sound localization; auditory reflexes

Answer 12

Inferior Coliculli

Question 13

Diencephalon

Transmits sound information from the inferior colliculi to auditory cortex; may modulate output based on organism’s level of arousal

Answer 13

Medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus

Question 14

Heschl’s gyrus in the temporal lobe

Initial level of processing for auditory input

Answer 14

Primary Auditory Cortex

Question 15

Areas surrounding Heschl’s gyrus

Higher-level processing of auditory input; Wernicke’s area participates in language comprehension

Answer 15

Secondary Auditoy Cortex