Scala media, also known as the cochlear duct, is a fluid-filled chamber within the cochlea of the inner ear that plays a crucial role in the process of hearing by housing the organ of Corti. It is filled with endolymph and is situated between the scala vestibuli and scala tympani, contributing to the transduction of sound vibrations into neural signals.

Scala Media

Scala media

cochlear duct

fluid-filled chamber

The inner ear is a complex structure responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals and maintaining balance and spatial orientation. It consists of the cochlea for hearing and the vestibular system for balance, both of which are filled with fluid and lined with sensory hair cells that detect mechanical stimuli.

inner ear

The Organ of Corti is a crucial structure within the cochlea of the inner ear that transforms sound vibrations into neural signals, enabling the perception of sound. It contains hair cells that are mechanoreceptors, which convert mechanical sound waves into electrical impulses sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

organ of Corti

Endolymph is a potassium-rich fluid found within the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear, crucial for the processes of hearing and balance. Its ionic composition and movement are essential for the functioning of hair cells, which convert mechanical stimuli into electrical signals for the brain.

endolymph

The scala vestibuli is one of the three fluid-filled chambers in the cochlea of the inner ear, playing a crucial role in the process of hearing by transmitting sound vibrations from the oval window to the cochlear duct. It is filled with perilymph, a fluid that helps facilitate the movement of sound waves through the cochlea to be interpreted by the brain.

scala vestibuli

The scala tympani is one of the three fluid-filled chambers in the cochlea of the inner ear, playing a crucial role in the process of hearing by transmitting sound vibrations to the cochlear duct. It is filled with perilymph fluid and is connected to the scala vestibuli via the helicotrema at the apex of the cochlea.

scala tympani

transduction of sound vibrations

Neural signals are the electrical impulses generated by neurons to communicate information throughout the nervous system, playing a crucial role in brain function and behavior. Understanding these signals is fundamental to fields like neuroscience, brain-computer interfaces, and neuroprosthetics, as they provide insights into how the brain processes information and controls the body.

Relevant Degrees

Log in to see lessons