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

52.0K
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.
52.0K
Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

8.4K
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...
8.4K
Auditory Perception01:17

Auditory Perception

1.4K
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...
1.4K
Hair Cells01:22

Hair Cells

46.0K
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here.
46.0K
The Vestibular System01:29

The Vestibular System

44.6K
The vestibular system is a set of inner ear structures that provide a sense of balance and spatial orientation. This system is comprised of structures within the labyrinth of the inner ear, including the cochlea and two otolith organs—the utricle and saccule. The labyrinth also contains three semicircular canals—superior, posterior, and horizontal—that are oriented on different planes.
44.6K
Equilibrium and Balance01:15

Equilibrium and Balance

7.5K
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...
7.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Ronald Fisher and group selection.

History and philosophy of the life sciences·2025
Same author

Morphological Evolution of Sn-Metal-Based Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Operando X-Ray Imaging.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2025
Same author

The origin and evolution of shrews (Soricidae, Mammalia).

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2024
Same author

From teeth to pad: tooth loss and development of keratinous structures in sirenians.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2023
Same author

Non-invasive 3D analysis of microplastic particles in sandy soil - Exploring feasible options and capabilities.

The Science of the total environment·2023
Same author

The developmental basis for scaling of mammalian tooth size.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2023
Same journal

Two-step workflow integrating automatic registration and manual refinement for the accurate alignment of serial histological sections in 3D reconstruction.

Journal of anatomy·2026
Same journal

Correction to "Cajal-Retzius neurons are required for the development of the human hippocampal fissure".

Journal of anatomy·2026
Same journal

Loss of primary cilia in late pituitary organogenesis does not cause endocrine dysfunction.

Journal of anatomy·2026
Same journal

Cumulative effects of lifelong systemic excess growth hormone on postcranial skeletal morphology in adult mice.

Journal of anatomy·2026
Same journal

Layer-by-layer soft-tissue effects on flexion-extension-dominant passive ex vivo limb joint ROM in quadrupedal mammals: An anatomical contribution to a morphofunctional framework.

Journal of anatomy·2026
Same journal

Musculo-skeletal variation in the forelimb of two highly specialised diggers (genus Talpa).

Journal of anatomy·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

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

3.0K

Inner ear development in cetaceans.

Tara Thean1, Nikolay Kardjilov2, Robert J Asher1

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Journal of Anatomy
|December 21, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The cetacean inner ear develops remarkably early in gestation, reaching near-adult shape and size significantly before birth. This precocial development aids aquatic adaptation from the moment of birth.

Keywords:
artiodactylcetaceancochleainner earontogenyossificationsemicircular canalssuiform

More Related Videos

Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol
06:42

Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol

Published on: August 18, 2023

2.1K
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

9.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

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

3.0K
Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol
06:42

Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol

Published on: August 18, 2023

2.1K
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

9.6K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Comparative anatomy
  • Marine mammal science

Background:

  • Cetaceans evolved from terrestrial mammals, adapting to a fully aquatic environment.
  • Sensory input and equilibrium are critical challenges for marine mammals.
  • The cetacean ear is a key evolutionary innovation for aquatic life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document the ontogenetic changes in cetacean inner ear shape and size.
  • To compare the developmental timing of the cetacean inner ear with that of terrestrial artiodactyls.
  • To understand the role of precocial inner ear development in cetacean adaptation.

Main Methods:

  • Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans of cetacean embryos.
  • Histological analysis of inner ear development.
  • Comparative analysis with suid artiodactyls (pigs).

Main Results:

  • Cetacean inner ears exhibit precocial growth, ossifying and reaching near-adult shape by 32% of gestation.
  • Near-adult inner ear dimensions are achieved as early as 27% of newborn total length.
  • Early cetacean embryos show a flattened cochlea, which changes with development.

Conclusions:

  • The precocial development of the cetacean inner ear is a significant adaptation for aquatic life.
  • This early development facilitates immediate function at birth, complementing other precocial features.
  • Inner ear development timing highlights the rapid evolutionary transition of cetaceans to marine environments.