Sound Transduction



Promenade Round Cochlea, 2002 Fig:
Cross section of one segment of cochlea.


  • waves travel from oval window through vestibular duct.
  • waves in the vestibular duct cause a waves in cochlear duct.
  • waves in cochlear duct pull on the basilar membrane.
  • basilar membrane movement causes the tempanic membrane to move and slide across hair cell stereocilia.
  • hair cells are the sensory receptor cells of auditory sense.

    • Figure Source

    Hair Cells Location



    Promenade Round Cochlea, 2002 Fig:
    Outer hair cells (no. 2)
    Inner hair cells (no. 1)

  • The figure above shows the portion of cochlea called the "organ of corti".
  • Organ of corti includes the tempanic and basilar membranes and surrounding ducts.

    • source