Measurement of the mechanical properties of isolated tectorial membrane using atomic force microscopy.

ABSTRACT: The tectorial membrane (TM) is an extracellular matrix situated over the sensory cells of the cochlea. Its strategic location, together with the results of recent TM-specific mutation studies, suggests that it has an important role in the mechanism by which the cochlea transduces mechanical energy into neural excitation. A detailed characterization of TM mechanical properties is fundamental to understanding its role in cochlear mechanics. In this work, the mechanical properties of the TM are characterized in the radial and longitudinal directions using nano- and microindentation experiments conducted by using atomic force spectroscopy. We find that the stiffness in the main body region and in the spiral limbus attachment zone does not change significantly along the length of the cochlea. T

SUBMITTER: Gueta R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1595430 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature