PSYC 2050U Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Basilar Membrane, Cochlear Nucleus, Ear Canal
Document Summary
Outer ear directs sound into inner parts of the ear. Frequency number of cycles per second, termed pitch. Timbre differences in what gives instruments their characteristic voice. The external ear captures, focuses, and filters sound. Ear canal auditory canal from pinna to the tympanic membrane. Tympanic membrane also called the eardrum. Oval window opening from middle ear to inner ear. Sound waves vibrate the tympanic membrane and the ossicles move too, ossicles concentrate and amplify the vibrations, The cochlea converts the vibrational energy into neural activity (inner ear) Coil of three parallel canals: scala vestibule, scala media contains organ of corti, scala tympani. Hair cells are embedded in the basilar membrane. The hair cells transduce movements of the basilar membrane into electrical signals. Hair cells consist of stereocilia that form a mechanical bridge between the two membranes and bend when basilar membrane ripples.
