Noninvasive in vivo imaging reveals differences between tectorial membrane and basilar membrane traveling waves in the mouse cochlea
Abstract
The membranes within the cochlea vibrate in response to sound. However, measuring these vibrations to study the sense of hearing has been a technological challenge because invasive techniques have been required. Herein, we describe a new technique capable of depth-resolved displacement measurements in 3D space with picometer sensitivity within the unopened mouse cochlea. We used this technique to make, to our knowledge, the first measurements of the tectorial membrane, the structure that overlies the sensory hair cell stereociliary bundles, within a healthy cochlea. We found that the tectorial membrane sustains traveling wave propagation differently than the more commonly measured basilar membrane. This finding provides a clearer understanding of the mechanical stimulus at the level of the inner hair cell responsible for non-linear sound encoding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1500038112
Entities
People
- Audrey K. Ellerbee Bowden
- Brian E Applegate
- Hee Yoon Lee
- Jesung Park
- John S Oghalai
- Patrick D. Raphael
Organizations
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- Stanford University