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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

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Cochlear Implantation in the Guinea Pig
Published on: June 15, 2018
The effect of sectioning auditory centrifugal fibers on the cochlear microphonic and action potential in guinea pigs
Abstract:
This investigation on 8 guniea pigs determined the immediate effect on the cochlear microphonic (CM) and action potential (AP) of ipsilateral sectoning of the autitory centrifugal fibers. An acoustic signal was used to evoke the CM and AP of one ear of guinea pig and the homolateral olivo-cochlear bundle and lateral lemniscus were then sectioned. Differences between pre- and post-section CM and AP were measured. The results demonstrated an increase in the CM and a decrease in the AP in all animals. Speculation with regard to the overall function of the auditory centrifugal system was offered.
Related Concept Videos
Hair Cells
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.
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 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...
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking the...

