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AnatomyHead and neckEarBasilar membrane
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AnatomyHead and neckEarBasilar membrane

Basilar membrane

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: October 30, 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Introduction to the ear [21:34]
Overview of the structures of the outer ear and auditory tube.
Basilar membrane of cochlear duct
Lamina basilaris ducti cochlearis
1/2
Synonyms: none

The basilar membrane is a distensible membrane located within the cochlea of the inner ear. It extends horizontally from the apex of the spiral lamina to the osseus cochlea via the spiral ligament, separating the scala media from the scala tympani. It is wider at the apex than at the base near the oval window.

The spiral organ (of Corti), containing hair cells (hearing receptor cells), sits on top of the inner surface of the basilar membrane in the scala media. Incoming sound waves make the basilar membrane vibrate and displace, activating the hair cells in the organ of Corti, in turn triggering electrical signals to be sent to the brain. Sound waves of varying frequencies will displace different parts of the basilar membrane along its length in a gradient-like fashion. Closer to the base of the cochlea, the membrane is narrower and stiffer and so will be displaced by higher frequency sounds. At the apex it is wider and more flaccid, thus will be displaced by lower frequency sound waves. 

Terminology English: Basilar membrane
Latin: Lamina basilaris
Location Between the scala media and scala tympani of the cochlea
Function Vibrates in response to sound waves, deflecting the hair cells within the organ of Corti.

Learn more about the inner ear with this study unit: 

Internal ear Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Marieb, E., & Hoehn, K. (2022). Human Anatomy and Physiology, Global Edition. (12th ed.). Pearson Education, Limited.

Standring, S., Anand, N., & Tunstall, R. (2021). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice (Forty-second edition). Elsevier.

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