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Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Ear01:16

Anatomy of the Ear

Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...
Equilibrium and Balance01:15

Equilibrium and Balance

The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...
Auditory Perception01:17

Auditory Perception

The auditory system is essential for sound perception, utilizing various critical structures. When sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear, where three tiny bones – the malleus, incus, and stapes – amplify the sound. This amplification is crucial, as it ensures that the sound vibrations are strong enough to be conveyed to the inner ear. These vibrations then reach the cochlea, a...

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Type I hair cells of striolar and central zones in vestibular organs are essential for head stability and postural control.

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Alternative splicing of the <i>Rbm24</i> gene is essential for cochlear hair cell stereocilia integrity and hearing function in mice.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve
11:27

Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Published on: March 18, 2013

Patterning and morphogenesis of the vertebrate inner ear.

Jinwoong Bok1, Weise Chang, Doris K Wu

  • 1National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Rockville, MD, USA.

The International Journal of Developmental Biology
|September 25, 2007
PubMed
Summary

This review details molecular pathways guiding inner ear development, focusing on how hindbrain signals establish the dorsal-ventral and medial-lateral axes, crucial for forming inner ear components.

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Culture of Embryonic Mouse Cochlear Explants and Gene Transfer by Electroporation

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve
11:27

Selective Tracing of Auditory Fibers in the Avian Embryonic Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Published on: March 18, 2013

In Ovo and Ex Ovo Methods to Study Avian Inner Ear Development
10:09

In Ovo and Ex Ovo Methods to Study Avian Inner Ear Development

Published on: June 16, 2022

Culture of Embryonic Mouse Cochlear Explants and Gene Transfer by Electroporation
09:03

Culture of Embryonic Mouse Cochlear Explants and Gene Transfer by Electroporation

Published on: January 12, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Inner ear component formation relies on axial information from surrounding tissues.
  • Understanding molecular pathways of inner ear axis specification is crucial for developmental biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review molecular pathways involved in establishing the three axes of the developing inner ear: anterior-posterior (AP), dorsal-ventral (DV), and medial-lateral (ML).
  • To explore the role of induced genes in mediating inner ear morphogenesis following axial specification.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing research on inner ear development.
  • Focuses on analyzing molecular signaling pathways and gene expression patterns.

Main Results:

  • The hindbrain is essential for establishing the dorsal-ventral (DV) and medial-lateral (ML) axes of the inner ear through inductive signals like Wnts and Sonic hedgehog.
  • Signals for the anterior-posterior (AP) axis are not yet fully understood and do not appear to originate from the hindbrain.
  • Formation of the otocyst's lateral wall may depend on the prior establishment of the AP and DV axes.

Conclusions:

  • The hindbrain plays a critical role in specifying key axes of the inner ear.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the signals establishing the anterior-posterior axis.
  • Genes induced within the otic epithelium are vital for subsequent inner ear morphogenesis.