Cochlear Anatomy
The membranous part of the Cochlea
The Scala Media
This structure forms a coiled tunnel about 35 mm long that turns almost 3 times through the petrous portion of the temporal bone
The Bony Labyrinth
The fluid that fills the Membranous Labyrinth and Scala Media. It is high in potassium and very low in sodium.
Endolymph
Organ of Corti Support Cells
Inner Sulcus Cells or Inner Spiral Sulcus Cells, Inner Phalangeal Cells or Inner Supporting Cells, Deiters Cells, Hensen Cells, Claudius Cells, Outer Spiral Sulcus Cells, & Boettcher Cells.
The membrane that is attached to the superior surface of the Spiral Limbus. It is a fibrous membrane that extends out into the Scala Media over the entire Organ of Corti, making contact with the tallest tips of the Outer Hair Cell Stereocilia.
Tectorial Membrane
This structure is perilymph-filled, lies between the Bony Labyrinth and Membranous Labyrinth, and is superior to the Scala Media.
The Scala Vestibuli
A spiral, corkscrew-shaped bony shelf that projects from the side of the modiolus and partially divides the Cochlear Tunnel into smaller sections
The Spiral Lamina
The row of hair cells in the Organ of Corti that are shaped like a flask
Inner Hair Cells
Tiny hairs in several rows projecting from the top of each hair cell
Stereocilia
Thin fibers that connect individual stereocilia to each other
Cross Links
This structure is perilymph-filled, lies between the Bony Labyrinth and Membranous Labyrinth, and is inferior to the Scala Media.
The Scala Tympani
Where the Scala Media Channel ends and the Scala Tympani and Scala Vestibuli are connected together by a narrow passage
Helicotrema
The three rows of hair cells in the Organ of Corti that are cylindrical in shape
Outer Hair Cells
The group of Stereocilia on the top of each hair cell
Stereocilia Bundle
Cross Links that form connections between the sides of adjacent Stereocilia in the same row
Side-to-Side Cross Links
This structure divides the Scala Vestibuli from the Scala Media.
Reissner's Membrane
The main structure responsible for converting mechanic vibrations that enter the Cochlea into neural impulses
The Organ of Corti
This structure is the triangular-shaped support structure created by the inner and outer rods of Corti
Tunnel of Corti
Where the Stereocilia are anchored to the hair cells via a thickening at the top edge of the hair cell
Cuticular Plate
Cross Links that form connections between the sides of adjacent Stereocilia across rows
Row-to-Row Cross Links
This structure divides the Scala Media from the Scala Tympani
Basilar Membrane
The fluid that fills the Scala Vestibuli and Scala Tympani, and the Vestibule and Semicircular Canals. It is high in sodium (Na) and low in potassium (K).
Perilymph
The perilymph-filled space that surrounds the Outer Hair Cells
The Space of Nuel
The upper surface of the Organ of Corti, which is formed by the tops of the hair cells and supporting cells
Reticular Lamina
Cross Links that form connections between the top (smaller Cilia) and the side (larger Cilia) of adjacent Stereocilia across rows
Tip-to-Side Cross Links or Tip Links