Fenestra vestibuli

Fenestra vestibuli (also known as the oval window) is a membrane-covered opening that leads from the middle ear to the vestibule of the inner ear. It is a key component in the process of hearing, as it allows the transmission of sound waves from the air to the fluid-filled inner ear.

Anatomy

The fenestra vestibuli is located in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear, specifically in the medial wall of the middle ear cavity. It is oval in shape and covered by a thin, flexible membrane. The stapes, the smallest bone in the human body, is attached to this membrane.

Function

The primary function of the fenestra vestibuli is to transmit sound vibrations from the middle ear into the inner ear. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the tympanic membrane (or eardrum) to vibrate. These vibrations are then transferred through the three ossicles of the middle ear (the malleus, incus, and stapes) to the fenestra vestibuli. The movement of the stapes against the fenestra vestibuli causes the fluid in the inner ear to move, stimulating the sensory cells of the cochlea and initiating the process of hearing.

Clinical significance

Abnormalities or damage to the fenestra vestibuli can result in hearing loss or other auditory disorders. For example, otosclerosis is a condition in which abnormal bone growth around the fenestra vestibuli prevents the stapes from moving freely, leading to a gradual loss of hearing. Treatment for otosclerosis often involves surgery to replace the stapes bone and restore movement to the fenestra vestibuli.

See also

• Middle ear
• Inner ear
• Ossicles
• Otosclerosis