PSYC 6 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Semicircular Canals, Oval Window, Auditory Cortex

• School: Irvine Valley College
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 6
• Professor: cassens

Document Summary

Audition results from changes in air pressure. Soundwave- pattern of changes in air pressure during a period of time. Amplitude- determines loudness (how large wave is) Outer ear- sound waves arrive and then travel down auditory canal. Eardrum- tight membrane that begins middle ear. Ossicles- three tiny bones (hammer, anvil, and stirrup) that receive vibrations from eardrum. Oval window- ossicles transfer vibrations to membrane locatd within cochlea (inner ear) Cochlea- fluid-filled tube with a membrane at the end called round window. Oval window creates pressure waves, which oscillate the. Auditory receptors: stimulates hair cells to bend, sending basilar membrane information to auditory nerve. Uses receptors in semicircular canals of inner ear. Head moves -> liquid moves -> bending hair cells -> Balance: generating nerve impulses-> allows for balance involves both visual system and vestibular system. Pitch is encoded by frequency and location: Mechanisms for encoding frequency of auditory stimulus: Firing rate of cochlea hair cells match frequency of pressure wave.