Auditory System Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of potassium ions (K+) within the endolymph of the inner ear?

  • To depolarize afferent neurons.
  • To generate auditory signals. (correct)
  • To maintain low sodium concentrations.
  • To facilitate the release of glutamate.

Which structure is responsible for secreting the endolymph?

  • The spiral ganglion.
  • The tectorial membrane.
  • The basilar membrane.
  • The stria vascularis. (correct)

What event directly leads to the depolarization of hair cells in the auditory system?

  • Efflux of potassium ions (K+).
  • Sodium ion (Na+) influx.
  • Bending of stereocilia and influx of potassium. (correct)
  • Inhibition of neurotransmitter release.

Which neurotransmitter is primarily released by hair cells to stimulate afferent neurons?

<p>Glutamate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

From the listed options, where do the axons of the first-order neurons terminate?

<p>The cochlear nuclei. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the superior olivary complex in the auditory pathway?

<p>Integrating input from both ears (binaural processing). (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the location of fourth-order neurons in the auditory pathway?

<p>The inferior colliculus. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What brain region is the target of the fifth-order auditory neurons?

<p>The temporal lobe (area 41). (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily responsible for collecting sound waves and directing them into the ear canal?

<p>Pinna (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the auditory ossicles located in the middle ear?

<p>To amplify sound waves and transmit them to the inner ear (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is NOT primarily involved in auditory processing?

<p>Semicircular canals (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the middle ear in the hearing process?

<p>To convert air vibrations into fluid vibrations in the cochlea. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is responsible for transducing sound vibrations into neural signals?

<p>Cochlea (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the vestibular system?

<p>Maintaining balance and detecting head motion (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The middle ear is best described as what type of structure?

<p>Air-filled cavity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the correct sequence of structures through which sound travels?

<p>Pinna, Ear canal, Tympanic membrane, Auditory ossicles, Cochlea (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the anatomical name of the eardrum?

<p>Tympanic membrane (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structure contains the hair cell receptors for equilibrum?

<p>Semicircular Canals &amp; Otolith Organs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the auditory ossicles?

<p>To act as a lever to transfer and magnify sound waves to the inner ear. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do the auditory ossicles increase the pressure of sound waves?

<p>By decreasing the surface area over which force is applied. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles in the tympanic reflex?

<p>To contract and pull ossicles to reduce sound transmission, thus protecting auditory receptors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the round window?

<p>To dissipate the sound waves, allowing for fluid movement within the cochlea. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Eustachian tube maintain middle ear health?

<p>By ensuring the pressure in the middle ear is equal to atmospheric pressure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cochlea?

<p>To convert sound waves into electrical impulses. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate amplification factor provided by the auditory ossicles?

<p>Approximately 1.3 times via the lever action, and 17-20 times at the tympanic membrane. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the tympanic reflex, what is the action of the stapedius muscle?

<p>To pull the stapes outward and away from the oval window. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary pathway for normal hearing?

<p>Ossicular / air conduction via the tympanic membrane and auditory ossicles. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of a sound wave is directly related to loudness?

<p>Amplitude (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If sound wave 'X' has a higher frequency than sound wave 'Y' what can be said about sound wave 'X'?

<p>Sound wave 'X' will have a higher pitch than sound wave 'Y'. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the threshold of hearing in decibels (dB)?

<p>0 dB (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the frequency of action potentials in auditory nerve fibers correlate with?

<p>The loudness of the sound. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of sound frequencies audible to humans, according to the text?

<p>20 - 20,000 Hz (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which range of frequencies is best for pitch discrimination?

<p>1000 - 4000 Hz (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If sound A has an amplitude of x and sound B has an amplitude of 2x what can be said?

<p>Sound 'B' will be perceived as louder than 'A'. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where does maximum vibration of fluid occur in the cochlea during perception of a high-pitched sound?

<p>At the basal end of the cochlea (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the auditory cortex receives impulses from the cochlea when a low-pitched sound is perceived?

<p>Anterolateral (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a cause of conduction deafness?

<p>Damage to the auditory nerve (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of nerve deafness?

<p>Chronic exposure to very loud noise (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does an audiometry test measure?

<p>The hearing threshold at various frequencies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Weber test, where is the base of the vibrating tuning fork placed?

<p>On the vertex of the skull (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a normal Rinne test, what is the relationship between air and bone conduction?

<p>Air conduction is greater than bone conduction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it indicate if, during the Rinne test, the vibrations in air are not heard after bone conduction is over?

<p>Conduction deafness (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a normal ear, how does air conduction compare to bone conduction?

<p>Air conduction is greater than bone conduction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of signal transmission issues in sensorineural deafness?

<p>Damaged hair cells unable to send electrical impulses. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a cochlear implant in individuals with sensorineural deafness?

<p>To directly stimulate the auditory nerve by bypassing damaged hair cells. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does bending of stereocilia toward the kinocilium affect hair cells?

<p>It causes depolarization of the hair cells. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is primarily responsible for detecting vertical linear movement?

<p>Saccule (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the horizontal canal, where are the kinocilia located relative to the utricle?

<p>On the side toward the utricle. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the otoliths within the otolith organs?

<p>To help maintain balance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the macula in the saccule?

<p>It is located on the medial wall with a vertical orientation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Pinna (Auricle)

The outer part of the ear that funnels sound waves into the ear canal.

Ear canal

The tube that connects the pinna to the eardrum. It amplifies sound waves.

Tympanic membrane (Eardrum)

A thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it. It separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

Auditory ossicles

Three small bones (malleus, incus, stapes) that amplify sound vibrations and transfer them to the inner ear.

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Cochlea

The fluid-filled inner ear structure responsible for hearing. It contains the organ of Corti.

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Hair Cells (Hearing)

The receptor cells within the cochlea that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals.

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Air conduction

The process by which sound vibrations are transmitted through the air to the ear.

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Bone conduction

The process by which sound vibrations are transmitted through the bones of the skull to the inner ear.

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Conduction deafness

Hearing loss caused by damage to the outer or middle ear, hindering sound conduction to the inner ear.

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Nerve deafness

Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, impairing the transmission of sound signals to the brain.

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Oval Window

The oval window is a small membrane-covered opening in the inner ear that receives sound vibrations from the middle ear.

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Tympanic Membrane

The tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, is a thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves.

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Tympanic Reflex

The tympanic reflex is a protective mechanism that reduces the intensity of loud sounds by contracting the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles in the middle ear.

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Eustachian Tube

Located in the middle ear, the Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the throat. It helps to equalize the pressure inside the middle ear with the atmospheric pressure, preventing the eardrum from being pulled inward or outward.

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Round Window

The round window is a membrane-covered opening in the inner ear that allows the fluid in the cochlea to move back and forth in response to sound waves. It helps to dissipate pressure and maintain proper fluid flow.

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Endocochlear Potential

The endocochlear potential is a specific electrical potential that exists within the cochlea, essential for the proper function of the inner ear and hearing.

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Endolymph

A fluid within the inner ear that has a high concentration of potassium (K+) and a low concentration of sodium (Na+). It's important for the generation of auditory signals.

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Hair cells

Specialised sensory cells in the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals.

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How do hair cells respond to sound?

The bending of the tiny hairs on hair cells, called stereocilia, opens channels that allow potassium (K+) to flow into the cell, causing it to become more positive (depolarise).

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What happens after hair cells depolarise?

When hair cells depolarise, they release a chemical messenger called glutamate, which signals to the auditory nerve that sound is present.

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Auditory pathway

The pathway in the brain that processes sound information from the inner ear to the auditory cortex.

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Bipolar cells of the spiral ganglion

The first neurons in the auditory pathway, with dendrites that receive signals from hair cells and axons that form the cochlear nerve.

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Superior olivary complex

The part of the brainstem where the auditory pathway crosses over to the opposite side, resulting in the contralateral processing of sound.

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Auditory cortex

The final destination of the auditory pathway, located in the temporal lobe of the brain, responsible for conscious sound perception.

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Ossicular Conduction

The primary way sound reaches your inner ear. Sound waves travel through the eardrum and tiny bones (ossicles) before reaching the cochlea.

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Amplitude

The size of a sound wave. Larger amplitude = Louder sound.

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Frequency

The rate at which a sound wave repeats. Higher frequency = Higher pitch.

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Intensity of Sound

A measure of how intense or strong a sound is. Measured in decibels (dB).

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Threshold of Hearing

The lowest sound intensity a person can hear. It's like the starting point on the loudness scale.

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Pitch

How high or low a sound seems. Measured in Hertz (Hz) and determined by the frequency of the sound wave.

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Pitch Discrimination

The ability to tell the difference between two similar pitches.

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Pitch Perception

The ability of the ear to detect and process sounds of different frequencies, resulting in the perception of pitch.

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High Pitch Sound Localization

Vibrations of the fluid within the cochlea reach their maximum amplitude at the base for high-pitched sounds, causing the basilar membrane to vibrate most strongly there.

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Low Pitch Sound Localization

Vibrations of the fluid within the cochlea reach their maximum amplitude at the apex for low-pitched sounds, causing the basilar membrane to vibrate most strongly there.

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Hearing Loss (Deafness)

A condition characterized by the inability to hear sounds effectively, caused by damage to the auditory system.

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Audiometry

A diagnostic test that assesses an individual's hearing threshold at different frequencies using a pure tone audiometer.

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Weber Test

A test using a tuning fork to distinguish between nerve deafness and conduction deafness. It involves placing the vibrating fork on the forehead and observing where the sound is heard loudest.

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Utricle function

The utricle is a sensory organ in the inner ear that detects horizontal movement and changes in head position.

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Saccule function

The saccule is a sensory organ in the inner ear that detects vertical movement and changes in head position.

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Semicircular canals function

The three semicircular canals, oriented in different planes, sense rotational movement of the head with respect to gravity.

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Labyrinthectomy

Labyrinthectomy is the surgical removal of the labyrinth, the system of interconnected chambers and canals in the inner ear. This can lead to sensorineural hearing loss and severe balance disorders.

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Kinocilium

Kinocilium is a single, large cilium located on one side of a cluster of stereocilia in hair cells. Bending the stereocilia towards kinocilium stimulates the hair cell.

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Otolith organs

Otolith organs (utricle and saccule) are sensory structures in the inner ear that contain calcium carbonate crystals called otoliths. These organs detect linear acceleration and head position.

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Macula

The macula is a sensory epithelium in the otolith organs that contains hair cells. It is responsible for detecting changes in head position and linear acceleration.

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Study Notes

Hearing & Equilibrium

  • The pinna collects sound and directs it into the ear canal.
  • The ear canal amplifies sound waves.
  • The tympanic membrane vibrates in response to sound waves.
  • The malleus, incus, and stapes amplify and transmit vibrations to the oval window.
  • The oval window creates fluid waves in the cochlea.
  • The cochlea contains the organ of Corti, with hair cells that convert sound waves into neural signals.
  • The vestibular nerve and cochlear nerve transmit these signals to the brain.
  • The Eustachian tube equalizes pressure in the middle ear.
  • The round window dissipates sound waves.

Learning Outcomes (Hearing)

  • Explain factors determining sound pitch and loudness.
  • Explain sound transmission in the auditory system.
  • Describe impulse transmission in the auditory pathway.
  • Define air and bone conduction of sound.
  • Differentiate between conduction and nerve deafness.

Learning Outcomes (Equilibrium)

  • Explain the functions of the utricle and saccule.
  • Explain the function of semicircular canals.
  • Discuss the effects of labyrinthectomy.

Auditory Pathway

  • Bipolar cells of the spiral ganglion are the first-order neurons, with dendrites that innervate hair cells in the cochlea and axons that form the cochlear division of the vestibulocochlear nerve.
  • Second-order neurons from the cochlear nuclei synapse and cross to the opposite side of the brainstem, terminating in the superior olivary complex.
  • Third-order neurons in the superior olivary complex, trapezoid nucleus, and lateral lemniscus project through the lateral lemniscus to the inferior colliculus.
  • Fourth-order neurons are in the inferior colliculus, and send projections to the medial geniculate nucleus.
  • Fifth-order neurons transmit impulses from the medial geniculate nucleus to the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe.

Conduction of Sound

  • Ossicular/air conduction: Sound waves travel to the inner ear via the tympanic membrane and auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), which transmit vibrations. This is the normal hearing pathway.
  • Bone conduction: Vibrations of the skull transmit to the fluid of the inner ear.

Sound Waves

  • Loudness is related to amplitude.
  • Pitch is related to frequency.
  • Audible sound frequencies for humans range from 20 to 20,000 Hz.
  • Best pitch discrimination is within the 1000-4000 Hz range.

Anatomy of the Cochlea

  • The cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure.
  • The basilar membrane has different thicknesses and stiffness along its length.
  • High frequencies vibrate the base of the basilar membrane.
  • Low frequencies vibrate the apex.
  • Different frequencies stimulate hair cells at different locations.

Hearing Loss (Deafness)

  • Conduction deafness: Impaired sound transmission in the external or middle ear (e.g., obstruction by wax, otosclerosis, perforated tympanic membrane).
  • Nerve deafness: Degeneration of hair cells in the cochlea (e.g., chronic exposure to loud sounds, aging, certain drugs, tumors).

Audiometry

  • Pure-tone audiometry provides standard tones of varying pitch and intensity to assess hearing thresholds.

Hearing Tests

  • Weber test: Tuning fork placed on the head to compare sound perception in both ears.
  • Rinne test: Tuning fork placed on the head and then next to the ear to compare air and bone conduction.

Cochlear Implant

  • Cochlear implants help bypass damaged hair cells by stimulating the auditory nerves directly through external electrical currents.

Equilibrium

  • The utricle and saccule detect head position relative to gravity (static equilibrium).
  • The maculae in the utricle and saccule contain hair cells and otoliths, which shift in response to gravity and linear head movements, triggering nerve signals.
  • The semicircular canals detect angular acceleration (rotational movements) via fluid (endolymph) movement, initiating nerve impulses that are transmitted to the brain.

Vestibuloocular Reflex (VOR)

  • Impulses from the semicircular canals initiate reflex movements of the eyes during and immediately after head rotation.
  • During rotation, eyes initially drift in the opposite direction, then rapidly move to compensate and fix on a new point.
  • At the end of rotation, eyes continue moving in the rotation direction, then jerk rapidly in the opposite direction.

Vestibular Nucleus (Brain Stem)

  • The vestibular nucleus receives impulses from the vestibular apparatus and sends impulses to skeletal muscles, regulating muscle tone and posture related to head movements.
  • The vestibular nucleus also sends impulses to the cerebellum to adjust movements and for equilibrium.
  • The vestibular nucleus sends impulses to extraocular motor neurons to maintain fixation of the eyes on stationary objects.

Motion Sickness

  • Motion sickness arises from sensory input mismatches, specifically simultaneous multiplanar angular accelerations.
  • Visual and vestibular stimuli that are not in agreement (e.g., during sailing) lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

Labyrinth Dysfunction

  • Labyrinth dysfunction can include vertigo (sensation of movement of the external environment or the head) and Ménière's disease, characterized by vertigo, tinnitus, and progressive nerve deafness.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the auditory system with this quiz that covers the roles of various structures, neurotransmitters, and pathways involved in hearing. Answer questions about potassium ions in endolymph, hair cell depolarization, and more. Perfect for students studying auditory biology and physiology.

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