Hearing + Balance

Question 1

vestibular system

Answer 1

• body’s system of maintaining equilibrium (balance)

- provided by equilibrium receptors in semicircular canals of inner ear

Question 2

vestibular sense

Answer 2

body’s sense of balance and upright orientation

Question 3

process of hearing - step 1:

Answer 3

• sounds waves funneled into external auditory canal

- waves reach tympanic membrane, cause it to vibrate

Question 4

once ear drum vibrates –> step 2:

Answer 4

• vibration of tympanic membrane causes ossicles to vibrate

- vibrating ossicles push against the fluid inside the cochlear duct, causing it to move

Question 5

fluid moves –> step 3:

Answer 5

• moving fluid causes stereocilia (in organ of corti) to move
• movement of stereocilia stimulates cochlear neurons

Question 6

neurons stimulated –> step 4:

Answer 6

• simulated neurons send impulses via the cochlear nerve

- impulses reach primary auditory cortex (temporal lobe)

Question 7

impulses reach primary auditory cortex –> step 5:

Answer 7

sounds from each ear are interpreted as impulses equally on L + R sides of brain