Cochlea
(Redirected from Fissula ante fenestram)
File:3DPX-002432 Cochlea and semicircular canals Nevit Dilmen.stl
File:Journey of Sound to the Brain.ogg
Cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled inner ear structure; it is key to hearing in humans and other vertebrates. Its primary function is to convert sound vibrations from the outer ear into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. This process involves various parts of the cochlea working in concert, including the scala tympani, scala vestibuli, and the cochlear duct.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The cochlea is a part of the inner ear located within the temporal bone of the skull. It is divided longitudinally by the basilar membrane, which separates two fluid-filled tubes that spiral around a central bony pillar called the modiolus. These tubes are known as the scala tympani and scala vestibuli, which are filled with perilymph fluid. The scala media, or cochlear duct, is filled with endolymph and is where the organ of Corti, the sensory organ of hearing, is located.
Function[edit | edit source]
Sound waves enter the cochlea via the oval window, causing the perilymph in the scala vestibuli to move. This movement is transferred to the cochlear duct, causing the basilar membrane to vibrate. These vibrations are detected by hair cells in the organ of Corti, which convert them into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve, allowing for the perception of sound.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Damage to the cochlea or the nerve pathways from the cochlea to the brain can result in sensorineural hearing loss, which is often irreversible. Conditions such as age-related hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss, and certain infections can affect cochlear function. Treatments for cochlear-related hearing loss include hearing aids and cochlear implants, the latter of which directly stimulate the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged parts of the ear.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD