LING 3P97 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Endolymph, Vestibular System, Tonotopy
15 Jan 2016
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Document Summary
Ling 3p97 chapter 3: functions of the auditory and vestibular systems. Transduction process: change in sound energy as it goes through the different parts of the auditory system. Impedance: the total opposition to the flow of energy. Impedance mismatch: when 2 systems have different impedances. Transfer function: experimental measurements that document changes in pressure that occur between the tympanic membrane and the oval window membrane. Mechanical vibrations: back and forth movements of an object; action of the middle ear ossicles in the transduction process. 3 ways the middle ear amplifies sounds at the over window: Area ratio advantage: one of the middle ear mechanical amplification methods due to the larger size (area) of the tympanic membrane compared with the oval window. Lever advantage: one of the middle ear mechanical amplification methods that is due to the fact that the manubrium of the malleus is longer than the long process of the incus in the ossicular chain.
