Ductus cochlearis

Ductus cochlearis (pronunciation: /ˈdʌktəs kɒkˈlɪərɪs/), also known as the scala media or cochlear duct, is a fluid-filled cavity located within the cochlea of the inner ear. It plays a crucial role in the process of hearing.

Etymology

The term 'ductus cochlearis' is derived from Latin, where 'ductus' means 'duct' or 'channel', and 'cochlearis' is related to 'cochlea', the Latin term for 'snail shell', referring to the spiral shape of the cochlea.

Anatomy

The ductus cochlearis is a part of the cochlea, which is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear. It is separated from the scala vestibuli by Reissner's membrane and from the scala tympani by the basilar membrane. The ductus cochlearis contains a fluid called endolymph, which is crucial for the transmission of sound vibrations to the auditory nerve.

Function

The primary function of the ductus cochlearis is to transmit sound vibrations from the outer ear to the auditory nerve. The endolymph fluid within the ductus cochlearis vibrates in response to sound waves, stimulating the sensory cells of the organ of Corti, which then send electrical signals to the brain via the auditory nerve.

Related Terms

Cochlea: The spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that houses the ductus cochlearis.
Scala vestibuli: The upper chamber of the cochlea, separated from the ductus cochlearis by Reissner's membrane.
Scala tympani: The lower chamber of the cochlea, separated from the ductus cochlearis by the basilar membrane.
Reissner's membrane: A thin membrane that separates the scala vestibuli from the ductus cochlearis.
Basilar membrane: A membrane that separates the scala tympani from the ductus cochlearis.
Endolymph: The fluid contained within the ductus cochlearis.
Organ of Corti: The sensory organ located within the ductus cochlearis that is responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals.
Auditory nerve: The nerve that carries electrical signals from the organ of Corti to the brain.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Ductus cochlearis
Wikipedia's article - Ductus cochlearis

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Ductus cochlearis