Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

15. The Special Senses

Introduction to Special Senses

Anatomy & Physiology

15. The Special Senses

Introduction to Special Senses

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3:09 minutes

Problem 17

Textbook Question

Sound waves hitting the eardrum set it into motion. Trace the pathway of vibrations from the eardrum to the spiral organ of Corti, where the hair cells are stimulated.

Verified step by step guidance

The sound waves cause the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to vibrate. These vibrations correspond to the frequency and amplitude of the sound waves.

The vibrations are transmitted to the auditory ossicles in the middle ear: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). These bones amplify the vibrations and transfer them to the oval window of the cochlea.

The stapes pushes against the oval window, creating pressure waves in the perilymph fluid within the cochlea. These waves travel through the scala vestibuli, one of the fluid-filled chambers of the cochlea.

The pressure waves in the perilymph cause the basilar membrane to vibrate at specific locations depending on the frequency of the sound. High-frequency sounds vibrate the basilar membrane near the base of the cochlea, while low-frequency sounds vibrate it near the apex.

The vibrations of the basilar membrane stimulate the hair cells located in the spiral organ of Corti. The hair cells convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Sound Wave Transmission

Sound waves are mechanical vibrations that travel through a medium, such as air, and are captured by the outer ear. When these waves reach the eardrum, they cause it to vibrate, initiating the process of sound transmission through the auditory system.

Middle Ear Structures

The middle ear contains three small bones known as the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) that amplify and transmit the vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The stapes connects to the oval window, a membrane-covered opening to the cochlea, facilitating the transfer of sound energy into fluid.

Organ of Corti and Hair Cells

The Organ of Corti, located within the cochlea, is the sensory organ responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals. It contains hair cells that, when stimulated by fluid movement caused by the vibrations, generate electrical impulses sent to the brain, allowing for the perception of sound.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which of the following are paired incorrectly?

a. Cochlear duct—cupula

b. Vestibule—macula

c. Ampulla—otoliths

d. Semicircular duct—ampulla

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Textbook Question

Movement of which structure triggers the bending of hairs of the hair cells in the spiral organ of Corti?

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Textbook Question

Name the structures of the outer, middle, and inner ears, and give the general function of each structure and each group of structures.

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Textbook Question

Sylvia Marcus, age 70, recently had surgery for otosclerosis. The operation was a failure and did not improve her condition. What was the purpose of the surgery, and exactly what was it trying to accomplish?

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Textbook Question

Otoliths (ear stones) are

a. A cause of deafness

b. A type of hearing aid

c. Important in equilibrium

d. The rock-hard petrous part of the temporal bones

407

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Textbook Question

The structure that allows pressure in the middle ear to be equalized with atmospheric pressure is the

a. Pinna

b. Pharyngotympanic tube

c. Tympanic membrane

d. Oval window

639

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Textbook Question

Which of the following is important in maintaining the balance of the body?

a. Visual cues

b. Semicircular canals

c. The saccule

d. Proprioceptors

e. All of these

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Textbook Question

Juan tells his physician that he has been feeling dizzy, especially when he closes his eyes. He is asked to stand with his feet together and arms extended forward. As long as he keeps his eyes open, he exhibits very little movement. But when he closes his eyes, his body begins to sway a great deal, and his arms tend to drift together toward the left side of his body. Why does this occur?

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