Stereocilia (inner ear)
Stereocilia (inner ear)
Stereocilia (/ˌstɛriːoʊˈsɪliə/; singular: stereocilium) are specialized microvilli that are present on the apical surface of certain cells in the inner ear. They are involved in the detection of mechanical stimuli, such as sound and head movement.
Etymology
The term "stereocilia" comes from the Greek words "stereos" meaning solid, and "kilia" meaning hairs. This term was coined due to the hair-like appearance of these structures under the microscope.
Structure
Stereocilia are not true cilia as they lack the central pair of microtubules, which is a characteristic feature of cilia. Instead, they are actin-filled protrusions from the cell surface. They are arranged in a graduated pattern, forming a "staircase" structure. The tallest stereocilia are connected to the kinocilium, a true cilium, by a tip link.
Function
Stereocilia play a crucial role in the mechanotransduction process in the inner ear. When sound waves or head movements cause the basilar membrane to vibrate, the stereocilia bend, leading to the opening of mechanically gated ion channels at their tips. This results in the generation of an electrical signal that is transmitted to the brain.
Related Terms
- Hair cell: The type of cell in the inner ear that contains stereocilia.
- Cochlea: The part of the inner ear where sound is converted into electrical signals.
- Vestibular system: The system in the body that is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Stereocilia (inner ear)
- Wikipedia's article - Stereocilia (inner ear)
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski