3B Scientific Organ of Corti - Manual (Page 4)

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The organ of Corti (3) is the site of the hearing in the inner ear of humans. It is located with its sensory
epithelia, the inner (16) and outer hair cells (22), embedded in a support cell system, the basilar membrane
(8). An incoming sound stimulus puts the liquids and membranes of the inner ear into motion. This leads
to a wave movement along the membranes. At a place defined for each frequency thanks to the anatomi-
cal qualities of the organ, shear movements are induced between the basilar and the tectorial membrane
(12). Consequently, first of all the stereocilia (35) of the outer hair cells, and then those of the inner hair
cells are excited. Nerve fibres take the incoming information via the auditory pathway for evaluation to the
corresponding area of the brain.
The model shows a three-dimensional section through the organ of Corti. The overview model in the
foreground (A) also shows the location of the organ in the cochlea. This is shown with opened up coils and
nerve supply.
A General view of the cochlear
B Organ of Corti
C View from above of the organ of Corti (tectorial membrane removed)
1 Scala vestibuli
2 Cochlear duct
3 Organ of Corti
4 Scala tympani
5 Spiral ganglion
6 Cochlear nerve
7 Reissner‘s membrane
8 Basilar membrane
9 Osseus spiral lamina
10 Spiral limbus
11 Interdental cell
12 Tectorial membrane
13 Inner spiral sulcus
14 Internal limiting cell
15 Inner phalangeal epithelial cell
16 Inner hair cell
17 Internal pillar epithelial cell
18 Inner tunnel
19 External pillar epithelial cell
20 Nuel‘s space
21 Outer phalangeal epithelial cell
22 Outer hair cell
23 Outer tunnel
24 External limiting cell
25 Hensen‘s cell
26 Claudius‘ cell
27 Boettcher‘s cell
28 Outer spiral sulcus
29 Vas spirale
30 Spiral Ligament
31 Stria vascularis
32 Spiral prominence
33 Fibroblast
34 Cuticular plate
35 Stereocilium
36 Adhesive belt
37 Bone
Organ of Corti