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Questions and Answers
What is another name for the organ of Corti?
What is another name for the organ of Corti?
What is the organ of Corti composed of?
What is the organ of Corti composed of?
Mostly epithelial structures that occupy the length and breadth of the basilar membrane.
What two classifications can the cells of the organ of Corti fall into?
What two classifications can the cells of the organ of Corti fall into?
Receptive or supportive cells.
Inner and outer pillar cells are also known as?
Inner and outer pillar cells are also known as?
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What is the tunnel of Corti formed by?
What is the tunnel of Corti formed by?
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Where is cortilymph found?
Where is cortilymph found?
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What is the floor of the tunnel of Corti formed by?
What is the floor of the tunnel of Corti formed by?
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What are the inner hair cells supported by at their bases?
What are the inner hair cells supported by at their bases?
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What are the inner hair cells supported by at their apexes?
What are the inner hair cells supported by at their apexes?
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Where do the inner rods of Corti rest?
Where do the inner rods of Corti rest?
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Are the walls of the inner tunnel of Corti solid?
Are the walls of the inner tunnel of Corti solid?
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What is the reticular membrane?
What is the reticular membrane?
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What is the function of the reticular membrane?
What is the function of the reticular membrane?
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What are the receptor cells of hearing?
What are the receptor cells of hearing?
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How are the inner and outer hair cells different?
How are the inner and outer hair cells different?
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How many rows of inner hair cells are there?
How many rows of inner hair cells are there?
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How many rows of outer hair cells are there?
How many rows of outer hair cells are there?
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What is the number of inner hair cells?
What is the number of inner hair cells?
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What is unique about the main body of the Deiters cell?
What is unique about the main body of the Deiters cell?
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What is the tectorial membrane?
What is the tectorial membrane?
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How would you describe the physical characteristics of the tectorial membrane?
How would you describe the physical characteristics of the tectorial membrane?
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Is the tectorial membrane cellular or non-cellular?
Is the tectorial membrane cellular or non-cellular?
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What are the three separate substrata of the tectorial membrane?
What are the three separate substrata of the tectorial membrane?
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What is the current estimated number of hair cells?
What is the current estimated number of hair cells?
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What are the physical properties of the stereocilia?
What are the physical properties of the stereocilia?
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What surrounds the entire hair cell?
What surrounds the entire hair cell?
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What features do the outer hair cells share with inner hair cells?
What features do the outer hair cells share with inner hair cells?
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What are the shapes of outer hair cells?
What are the shapes of outer hair cells?
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Which stereocilia is longer than all others on outer hair cell?
Which stereocilia is longer than all others on outer hair cell?
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What is the result of these stereocilia connections?
What is the result of these stereocilia connections?
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What protein is possibly found in stereocilia?
What protein is possibly found in stereocilia?
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Study Notes
Organ of Corti Overview
- Another name for the organ of Corti is the spiral organ.
- Located on the vestibular surface of the basilar membrane, it contains sensory cells essential for hearing.
Composition and Structure
- The organ of Corti consists of epithelial structures that span the basilar membrane.
- Cells within the organ of Corti are classified as either receptive (sensory) or supportive cells.
Pillar Cells
- Inner and outer pillar cells are known as rods of Corti, providing structural support within the organ.
- The rods of Corti create the triangular tunnel of Corti, which contains cortilymph.
Cell Types and Functions
- Inner hair cells are arranged in a single row and supported by phalangeal cells, which connect to the basilar membrane.
- Outer hair cells are arranged in three rows, stabilized by a network of cells at their bases.
Supporting Structures
- The vestibular lip features a distinctive epithelium, visible as "auditory teeth" from above.
- The phalangeal cells consist of a main body and a process that extends towards the hair cells.
- The reticular membrane, a delicate structure, supports the apex of hair cells and is formed from phalangeal cell components.
Cell Organization
- Inner hair cells number around 3,500 and are positioned between inner phalangeal cells and inner rods.
- Outer hair cells number between 12,000 and 20,000 and are organized in a V or W shape, with their length increasing from base to apex of the cochlea.
Stereocilia Structure
- Stereocilia, hair-like structures on hair cells, vary in length and diameter, enhancing their mechanotransduction capability.
- Stereocilia are connected by fine fibrils, allowing them to bend and move as a unit in response to sound.
Tectorial Membrane Properties
- The tectorial membrane sits above the hair cells, is gelatinous, and serves a mechanical role without cellular components.
- Comprised of three layers: cover net, fibrous main body, and homogeneous basal layer (Hardesty's membrane).
Specialized Cells
- Cells of Deiters provide support to outer hair cells and are shaped to accommodate their bases.
- Cells of Henson reside adjacent to the outer rows of Deiter’s cells and form the upper limit of the outer tunnel.
Unique Features
- The habenula perforate is the area where phalangeal cells contact the spiral lamina directly, crucial for cellular support.
- The microstructure of the inner hair cells ensures consistent height, while stereocilia length varies, with outer stereocilia being the longest.
Endolymph and Physiology
- The stria vascularis is essential for endolymph secretion and maintaining ionic balance within the cochlea.
- Hair cells act as the primary receptors for hearing, with inner and outer hair cells differing in shape, arrangement of stereocilia, and neural connections.
Quantitative Details
- There are approximately 4,000 outer rods of Corti and 6,000 inner rods, with significant spatial variations throughout the cochina.
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Test your knowledge about the spiral organ of Corti with these flashcards! This quiz covers essential terms and definitions related to the structure and function of this important hearing organ. Perfect for students studying anatomy or audiology.