Special sense- Hearing - functional anatomy of ear , function of middle ear, organ of corti?
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Dec 10, 2023
The functional anatomy of the ear can be divided into three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. In this response, we will focus on the middle ear and the organ of Corti, which are both involved in the sense of hearing.
Middle Ear: The middle ear is a small, air-filled cavity located between the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the inner ear. It consists of three tiny bones called the ossicles: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). These bones are connected to each other and transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transferred to the ossicles, which amplify the sound and transmit it to the inner ear. The middle ear also plays a role in equalizing air pressure between the outer and inner ear through the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat.
Organ of Corti: The organ of Corti is located in the inner ear, specifically within the cochlea. It is the main sensory organ responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.
The organ of Corti contains specialized hair cells that are arranged in rows along the length of the cochlea. These hair cells are responsible for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. When sound vibrations reach the cochlea, they cause fluid inside the cochlea to move, which in turn causes the hair cells to bend.
As the hair cells bend, tiny hair-like projections on their surface called stereocilia are stimulated. This stimulation triggers the hair cells to release neurotransmitters, which then activate nearby auditory nerve fibers. These auditory nerve fibers carry the electrical signals generated by the hair cells to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
In summary, the middle ear plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear, while the organ of Corti within the inner ear converts these vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.