The spiral organ sits on the ____ membrane, and the stereocilia of the outer hair cells contact the _ membrane.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Begin by identifying the location of the spiral organ (also known as the organ of Corti) within the cochlea. It is a key structure involved in the process of hearing.

Step 2: Recall that the spiral organ is situated on a specific membrane within the cochlea. This membrane is responsible for supporting the organ and plays a role in sound wave transmission.

Step 3: Understand the role of stereocilia, which are hair-like projections on the outer hair cells. These structures are involved in detecting sound vibrations and converting them into electrical signals.

Step 4: Note that the stereocilia of the outer hair cells make contact with another membrane in the cochlea. This membrane is positioned above the spiral organ and interacts with the stereocilia during sound wave processing.

Step 5: Combine your knowledge of cochlear anatomy to identify the two membranes: the one supporting the spiral organ and the one interacting with the stereocilia. These are the basilar membrane and the tectorial membrane, respectively.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

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 sensory hair cells that are essential for converting sound vibrations into neural signals. The organ is crucial for hearing, as it plays a key role in the transduction of sound waves into electrical impulses that the brain can interpret.

Basilar Membrane

The basilar membrane is a flexible structure within the cochlea that supports the spiral organ. It vibrates in response to sound waves, with different frequencies causing specific regions of the membrane to move. This movement is essential for stimulating the hair cells in the organ of Corti, allowing for the perception of different pitches in sound.

Tectorial Membrane

The tectorial membrane is a gelatinous structure that lies above the hair cells of the spiral organ. The stereocilia of the outer hair cells make contact with this membrane, and its movement relative to the hair cells is critical for the mechanotransduction process. When sound waves cause the basilar membrane to move, the tectorial membrane shifts, bending the stereocilia and triggering the auditory signal.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

How do the hair cells of the crista ampullaris detect rotation of the head?

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Textbook Question

The macula in the utricle detects:

a. Rotation of the head to the right

b. Very low-frequency sound waves that we can feel but not hear

c. Tilting of the head to one side