Connection lost. Please
refresh
the page.
Online
Kenhub
Login
Register
Anatomy
Basics
Upper limb
Lower limb
Spine and back
Thorax
Abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Head and neck
Neuroanatomy
Cross sections
Radiological anatomy
Histology
General
Systems
German
Portuguese
Spanish
Get help
How to study
Kenhub
EN |
DE
|
PT
|
ES
Get help
How to study
Login
Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology
Introduction to the musculoskeletal system
Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview
Shoulder and arm
Elbow and forearm
Wrist and hand
Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview
Hip and thigh
Knee and leg
Ankle and foot
Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview
Spine
Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall
Female breast
Mediastinum
Lungs
Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall
Peritoneum
Stomach
Spleen
Liver
Pancreas
Small intestine
Large intestine
Kidneys and ureters
Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor
Female pelvis and reproductive organs
Male pelvis and reproductive organs
Urinary bladder and urethra
Perineum
Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview
Skull
Face and scalp
Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa
Orbit and contents
Nasal region
Ear
Oral cavity
Teeth
Pharynx
Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview
Cerebrum
Diencephalon
Cerebellum
Brainstem
Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space
Blood supply of the brain
Spinal cord
Pathways of the nervous system
Cranial nerves
Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck
Upper limb
Thorax
Abdomen
Male pelvis
Female pelvis
Lower extremity
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck
Thorax
Abdomen and pelvis
Upper limb
Lower limb
Histology
General
Introduction to cells and tissues
Epithelial tissue
Connective tissue
Nervous tissue
Muscle tissue
Cartilage and bone
Systems
Cardiovascular system
Nervous system
Integumentary system
Musculoskeletal system
Respiratory system
Urinary system
Endocrine system
Digestive system
Lymphatic system
Male reproductive system
Female reproductive system
New quiz
Histology
Systems
Nervous system
Ear
Register now
and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!
Ear
Take a quiz
Custom quiz: Nervous system
For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.
Browse atlas
[Cochlear duct/spiral organ: cross section]The spiral organ (of Corti) is the receptor organ for hearing that produces electrical impulses in response to auditory stimuli. It is located in the scala media of the cochlear canal sitting on top of the basilar membrane. The spiral organ (of Corti) is composed of receptor cells known as the
hair cells
. It contains three rows of
outer hair cells
and one row of
inner hair cells
. The hair cells are so named because they contain hair-like projections on the apical part of their cell membrane, known as
stereocilia
. The stereocilia are embedded in a gel-like structure called the tectorial membrane. The lower surface of the
tectorial
membrane harbours a longitudinal ridge called the
Hensen’s stripe
that anchors the tectorial membrane to the inner and outer border cells. As the perilymph moves in response to sound waves, it shifts the basilar membrane respectively to the tectorial membrane. These shifts between the tectorial and basilar membranes bend the stereocilia, causing the hair cells to depolarize and release the neurotransmitters (glutamate) that transmits the sound information to the cochlear nerve.
Aside from the hair cells, the spiral organ (of Corti) contains a number of
supporting cells
. From the outer edge to the inner edge of the organ, these are: cuboid external supporting cells (Claudius cells), outer border cells (Hensen’s cells), outer phalangeal cells (Deiters’ cells), pillar cells, inner phalangeal cells and border cells. These supporting cells have distinct morphologies in relation to their functions. The outer and inner
phalangeal cells
surround and support the basolateral parts of both inner and outer hair cells. Between the outer and inner complexes of hair cells and phalangeal cells, there is a cavity known as the
inner tunnel
(of Corti). This tunnel is formed by the arching internal and external
pillar epithelial cells
.
Ear: histology
Ear
Auris
1/22
Synonyms:
none
Cochlear duct and spiral organ: illustration
Well done!
Related articles
Ear
Read article
Outer ear
Read article
Middle ear
Read article
Inner ear
Read article
Auditory pathway
Read article
Vestibular system
Read article
Eustachian (auditory) tube
Read article
Continue your learning
Register now
and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!
Want access to our Study Units?
Everything you need to learn in one place
Created by our anatomy experts
Access to galleries, key facts tables & more