Anatomy of Inner Ear

4. Temporal bone that runs through the center of the cochlea, CN VIII nerve fibers run through the hollow core.
5. Membrane that bulges outward to relieve pressure in the cochlea.
7. Cranial nerve VIII, responsible for transmitting hearing and balance signals.
10. Potassium-rich fluid found in the scala media.
11. The only cochlear chamber filled with endolymph.
14. Snail-shaped organ that narrows toward the apex (35mm long), contains three scalae. Organ responsible for hearing.
15. Fluid high in sodium found in the scala vestibuli and scala tympani.
16. Structure located on lateral wall of scala media, also known as the ‘battery’ of the ear.

1. Three looped structures that help detect rotational movements.
2. Structure on scala vestibuli that connects the stapes to the cochlea, transmitting sound vibrations.
3. Gel-like structure that interacts with the tallest outer hair cells steriocilia to detect sound vibrations.
6. Structure that vibrates at different frequencies along the cochlea. It divides the scala media from the scala tympani.
8. Cochlear chamber that ends at the round window. Contains perilymph.
9. Chamber of the cochlea where sound waves first travel, connected to the oval window. Contains perilymph.
12. The true ‘hearing’ organ inside the cochlea.
13. Tight layer that divides the organ of corti from the scala media.