Osseous spiral lamina

Osseous Spiral Lamina

The Osseous Spiral Lamina is a bony structure found in the cochlea of the inner ear. It is a key component in the process of hearing, as it supports the organ of Corti, which contains the sensory cells necessary for the conversion of sound vibrations into neural signals.

Anatomy

The Osseous Spiral Lamina consists of two plates of bone, which spiral around the modiolus, the central pillar of the cochlea. The upper plate is thin and supports the organ of Corti, while the lower plate is thicker and separates the scala tympani from the scala vestibuli. The two plates are separated by a small, triangular space known as the spiral canal of the modiolus, which contains the spiral ganglion cells.

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A cross section of the cochlea showing the osseous spiral lamina (labelled as spiral lamina).

Function

The primary function of the Osseous Spiral Lamina is to provide a rigid support for the organ of Corti. This allows the sensory cells within the organ of Corti to accurately convert the mechanical vibrations of sound into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.

Clinical Significance

Damage or abnormalities to the Osseous Spiral Lamina can result in hearing loss or impairment. Conditions such as otosclerosis and Meniere's disease can affect the structure of the Osseous Spiral Lamina, impacting its ability to support the organ of Corti and subsequently affecting the process of hearing.

See Also

• Cochlea
• Organ of Corti
• Inner ear