Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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.
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...
Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters01:29

Excitatory and Inhibitory Effects of Neurotransmitters

When an action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal, it releases neurotransmitters from the neuron into the synaptic cleft at a chemical synapse. The released neurotransmitter can be excitatory or inhibitory. The critical criteria commonly used to determine whether a molecule is a neurotransmitter at a chemical synapse are the molecule's presence in the presynaptic neuron. Second, its release is in response to strong presynaptic depolarization. And lastly, the presence of specific...
The Physiology of Taste01:24

The Physiology of Taste

The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the diffusion of...
The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
Hearing01:31

Hearing

When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The 'Prostate Cancer Screening for People at Genetic Risk of Aggressive Disease' (PATROL) study.

BJU international·2026
Same author

Spatiotemporal Medicare Reimbursement Trends and Economic Clusters in Otologic/Neurotologic Surgery.

The Laryngoscope·2026
Same author

Anthropometric Measurements Inform Complete Concentric Collapse Status in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OTO open·2026
Same author

Diagnostic Performance of the Stenvers and Pöschl Planes on CT in the Evaluation of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence.

AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology·2026
Same author

Otologic Surgery Risk Prediction: Risk Analysis Index-Administrative Versus Modified Frailty Index-5.

The Laryngoscope·2026
Same author

Reciprocal associations between PTSD symptoms and functioning over time among veteran men and women.

Journal of psychopathology and clinical science·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

In Vitro Wedge Slice Preparation for Mimicking In Vivo Neuronal Circuit Connectivity
10:31

In Vitro Wedge Slice Preparation for Mimicking In Vivo Neuronal Circuit Connectivity

Published on: August 18, 2020

Tensor tympani motoneurons receive mostly excitatory synaptic inputs.

Thane E Benson1, Daniel J Lee, M Christian Brown

  • 1Eaton-Peabody Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Thane_Benson@meei.harvard.edu

Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
|November 21, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The tensor tympani muscle

More Related Videos

Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle
10:00

Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle

Published on: November 17, 2010

Postsynaptic Recordings at Afferent Dendrites Contacting Cochlear Inner Hair Cells: Monitoring Multivesicular Release at a Ribbon Synapse
11:45

Postsynaptic Recordings at Afferent Dendrites Contacting Cochlear Inner Hair Cells: Monitoring Multivesicular Release at a Ribbon Synapse

Published on: February 10, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 16, 2026

In Vitro Wedge Slice Preparation for Mimicking In Vivo Neuronal Circuit Connectivity
10:31

In Vitro Wedge Slice Preparation for Mimicking In Vivo Neuronal Circuit Connectivity

Published on: August 18, 2020

Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle
10:00

Physiological Recordings of High and Low Output NMJs on the Crayfish Leg Extensor Muscle

Published on: November 17, 2010

Postsynaptic Recordings at Afferent Dendrites Contacting Cochlear Inner Hair Cells: Monitoring Multivesicular Release at a Ribbon Synapse
11:45

Postsynaptic Recordings at Afferent Dendrites Contacting Cochlear Inner Hair Cells: Monitoring Multivesicular Release at a Ribbon Synapse

Published on: February 10, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Otolaryngology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The tensor tympani muscle, crucial for middle ear function, contracts in response to sound and voluntary movements.
  • Understanding its neural regulation is key to comprehending auditory reflexes and motor control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the synaptic inputs and ultrastructure of tensor tympani motoneurons (TTMNs).
  • To elucidate the neural pathways regulating tensor tympani muscle contractions.

Main Methods:

  • Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine synaptic terminals on six labeled TTMNs.
  • Synaptic terminals were classified based on vesicle morphology, junction type, and association with TTMN spines.

Main Results:

  • A total of 79 synaptic terminals and 126 synapses were identified on TTMNs.
  • Two types of excitatory synapses (large round and small round vesicles) and one inhibitory synapse type (pleomorphic vesicles) were characterized.
  • Excitatory synapses, particularly those with large round vesicles, predominated, accounting for 62% of terminals and forming the most synapses per terminal.

Conclusions:

  • TTMNs receive predominantly excitatory synaptic inputs, suggesting a strong influence from pathways driving muscle contraction.
  • The synaptic organization of TTMNs shares similarities with stapedius motoneurons but differs from other motoneuron types.
  • These findings provide insights into the neural control mechanisms underlying tensor tympani muscle activity during auditory and motor tasks.