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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Indirect Motor Pathways01:22

Indirect Motor Pathways

The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
The vestibulospinal tract originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem. The vestibular system detects changes in...
Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla01:21

Brainstem: Control Centers of Medulla

The medulla oblongata is a crucial part of the brainstem responsible for controlling various autonomic and involuntary functions. It contains several nuclei, including the olivary, cuneate, gracile, and solitary nuclei.
Olivary Nucleus
The olivary nucleus, or inferior olivary nucleus, is located within the ventrolateral part of the medulla oblongata. It is primarily involved in motor coordination and motor learning. The olivary nucleus receives input from the spinal cord, cerebellum, and motor...
Somatic Spinal Reflexes01:22

Somatic Spinal Reflexes

Somatic spinal reflexes are rapid, involuntary muscular responses to external stimuli that involve the somatic musculature and the spinal cord.
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...
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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Related Experiment Video

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Data Acquisition and Analysis In Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry In Mice
08:51

Data Acquisition and Analysis In Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry In Mice

Published on: May 10, 2019

Auditory brainstem circuits that mediate the middle ear muscle reflex.

Sudeep Mukerji1, Alanna Marie Windsor, Daniel J Lee

  • 1Department of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Trends in Amplification
|September 28, 2010
PubMed
Summary

The middle ear muscle (MEM) reflex protects hearing by attenuating sound. This study reviews MEM reflex anatomy and physiology, presenting new data and discussing clinical implications.

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Area of Science:

  • Auditory Neuroscience
  • Neurophysiology
  • Otoacoustic Emissions

Background:

  • The middle ear muscle (MEM) reflex is a key descending auditory pathway.
  • It involves the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles, influencing sound intensity reaching the cochlea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of MEM reflex anatomy and physiology.
  • To present new data on MEM reflex function.
  • To describe the clinical implications of MEM reflex research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on MEM reflex pathways.
  • Presentation of novel anatomical and physiological data.
  • Analysis of clinical relevance and applications.

Main Results:

  • The stapedius muscle attenuates intense low-frequency sounds.
  • The tensor tympani muscle responds to self-generated noise and non-auditory stimuli.
  • Ascending and descending limbs of the MEM reflex are characterized, but interneurons remain unidentified.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to identify MEM reflex interneurons and modulatory inputs.
  • Understanding the MEM reflex has significant clinical implications for hearing disorders.
  • This review synthesizes current knowledge and highlights future research directions.