Fill in the blanks: The spiral organ sits on the________membrane, and the stereocilia of the outer hair cells contact the _____membrane.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the location of the spiral organ within the cochlea of the inner ear.
2. Recall that the spiral organ, also known as the organ of Corti, is situated on a specific membrane within the cochlea.
3. Understand that the basilar membrane is the structure on which the spiral organ rests.
4. Recognize that the stereocilia of the outer hair cells extend into the endolymph and make contact with another membrane.
5. Remember that the tectorial membrane is the one that the stereocilia of the outer hair cells contact.

Key Concepts

Spiral Organ (Organ of Corti)

The spiral organ, also known as the organ of Corti, is a structure located within the cochlea of the inner ear. It contains hair cells that are essential for converting sound vibrations into neural signals. The organ is crucial for hearing, as it is where the mechanical energy of sound is transformed into electrical impulses that the brain interprets as sound.

Basilar Membrane

The basilar membrane is a flexible structure in the cochlea that supports the spiral organ. It plays a vital role in the auditory process by vibrating in response to sound waves, which allows the hair cells in the organ of Corti to detect different frequencies of sound. The movement of the basilar membrane is fundamental for the perception of pitch.

Tectorial Membrane

The tectorial membrane is a gelatinous structure that lies above the hair cells in the spiral organ. The stereocilia of the outer hair cells make contact with this membrane, and its movement relative to the hair cells is crucial for the transduction of sound. The interaction between the tectorial membrane and the hair cells enhances the sensitivity and frequency selectivity of hearing.