Mechanical responses of the organ of corti to acoustic and electrical stimulation in vitro.

ABSTRACT: The detection of sound by the cochlea involves a complex mechanical interplay among components of the cochlear partition. An in vitro preparation of the second turn of the jird's cochlea provides an opportunity to measure cochlear responses with subcellular resolution under controlled mechanical, ionic, and electrical conditions that simulate those encountered in vivo. Using photodiode micrometry, laser interferometry, and stroboscopic video microscopy, we have assessed the mechanical responses of the cochlear partition to acoustic and electrical stimuli near the preparation's characteristic frequency. Upon acoustic stimulation, the partition responds principally as a rigid plate pivoting around its insertion along the spiral lamina. The radial motion at the reticular lamina greatly surpas

SUBMITTER: Chan DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1367002 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature