Auditory system

• What is the function of the outer ear?

  Collects sound waves and directs them
• What are the components of the outer ear?

  Pinna, auricle, external acoustic meatus
• How does the middle ear function?

  It carries sound waves to the inner ear
• What is found in the middle ear?

  Air-filled cavity, tympanic membrane, auditory ossicles
• What are the auditory ossicles?

  Malleus, incus, stapes
• What is the role of the inner ear?

  Contains receptors for hearing and equilibrium
• What structures are part of the inner ear?

  Inner membranous labyrinth, outer bony labyrinth
• What happens when sound waves reach the tympanic membrane?

  They cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate
• What is the sequence of vibrations in the ear?

  Tympanic membrane vibrates malleus, incus, stapes
• What does the stapes do in the hearing process?

  It vibrates the oval window
• What is the role of the round window?

  It vibrates in response to sound waves
• What happens to the basilar membrane during hearing?

  It moves up and down as sound waves vibrate
• What occurs when hair cells shear toward the kinocilia?

  The hair cell is depolarized
• What occurs when hair cells shear away from the kinocilia?

  The hair cell undergoes hyperpolarization
• What makes up the vestibular apparatus?

  Receptors in the semicircular canals and vestibule
• What are the two types of equilibrium?

  Static and dynamic equilibrium
• What is static equilibrium?

  Maintenance of body position while not moving
• What is dynamic equilibrium?

  Maintenance of body position during sudden movements
• What is the role of the macula?

  Involved in static equilibrium
• What is the crista ampularis?

  Receptor for dynamic equilibrium in semicircular canals
• What does the crista ampularis consist of?

  Supporting cells and hair cells
• What do hair cells in the crista ampularis project into?

  A gelatinous mass called the cupula
• How does the crista ampularis respond to head movement?

  It responds to changes in velocity of rotation
• What are the two main components of the ear's anatomy?

  Outer ear and inner ear
• What structures make up the outer bony labyrinth of the ear?

  • Semicircular canals
  • Vestibule
  • Cochlea
• What is the function of the auricle in hearing?

  It collects sound waves into the external meatus
• What happens to sound waves when they reach the tympanic membrane?

  They cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate
• Which ossicle is first to vibrate after the tympanic membrane?

  The malleus
• What does the stapes vibrate against in the hearing process?

  The oval window
• What is the result of the sound wave reaching the round window?

  It causes the basilar membrane to move
• What occurs as the basilar membrane oscillates?

  It causes the cilia and kinocilia to shear
• What happens when hair cells shear toward the kinocilia?

  The hair cell is depolarized
• What is the effect of shearing hair cells away from the kinocilia?

  It causes hyperpolarization
• What are the two types of equilibrium in the vestibular apparatus?

  • Static equilibrium: body position maintenance while not moving
  • Dynamic equilibrium: body position maintenance during sudden movements
• What is the role of the macula in equilibrium?

  It is mostly involved in static equilibrium
• What is the crista ampullaris responsible for?

  It is the receptor for dynamic equilibrium
• What structures are found in the crista ampullaris?

  Supporting cells and hair cells
• What do the hair cells in the crista ampullaris project into?

  A gelatinous mass called the cupula
• How does the crista ampullaris respond to head movements?

  It responds to changes in velocity of rotation
• What are the main components of the auditory system?

  • Outer ear: collects sound waves
  • Middle ear: carries sound waves to inner ear
  • Inner ear: receptors for hearing and equilibrium