hair cell
Quick Summary
Hair cells are specialized sensory cells within the inner ear that are crucial for hearing and balance. In the context of hearing, they are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea. These cells possess tiny, hair-like projections called stereocilia. When sound vibrations cause fluid movement within the cochlea, these stereocilia are bent. This mechanical bending triggers a process that converts the sound vibrations into electrical nerve impulses. These impulses are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are interpreted as sound. There are two main types: inner hair cells, which are primarily responsible for transmitting auditory information to the brain, and outer hair cells, which are thought to amplify and refine sound signals.123
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sound receptionSound reception in vertebrates— auditory mechanisms of fishes and amphibians…higher types of ears, containing hair cells and supporting elements, is called the organ of Corti.
Read More…higher types of ears, containing hair cells and supporting elements, is called the organ of Corti.
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human nervous systemSensory receptors…each end organ are the hair cells, the detection units for both linear and angular acceleration. Extending from each hair cell are fine, hairlike cilia; displacement of the cilia alters the electrical potential of the cell. Bending the cilia in one direction causes the cell membrane to depolarize, while hyperpolarization…
Read More…each end organ are the hair cells, the detection units for both linear and angular acceleration. Extending from each hair cell are fine, hairlike cilia; displacement of the cilia alters the electrical potential of the cell. Bending the cilia in one direction causes the cell membrane to depolarize, while hyperpolarization…
Read More- vestibular systemVestibular structures
The sensory cells are called hair cells because of the hairlike cilia—stiff nonmotile stereocilia and flexible motile kinocilia—that project from their apical ends. The nerve fibres are from the superior, or vestibular, division of the vestibulocochlear nerve.
Read MoreThe sensory cells are called hair cells because of the hairlike cilia—stiff nonmotile stereocilia and flexible motile kinocilia—that project from their apical ends. The nerve fibres are from the superior, or vestibular, division of the vestibulocochlear nerve.
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human earVestibuleThe sensory cells are called hair cells because of the hairlike cilia—stiff nonmotile stereocilia and flexible motile kinocilia—that project from their apical ends. The nerve fibres are from the superior, or vestibular, division of the vestibulocochlear nerve. They pierce the basement membrane and, depending on the type of hair cell,…
Read MoreThe sensory cells are called hair cells because of the hairlike cilia—stiff nonmotile stereocilia and flexible motile kinocilia—that project from their apical ends. The nerve fibres are from the superior, or vestibular, division of the vestibulocochlear nerve. They pierce the basement membrane and, depending on the type of hair cell,…
Read More- human earVestibule
…depending on the type of hair cell, either end on the basal end of the cell or form a calyx, or cuplike structure, that surrounds it.
Read More…depending on the type of hair cell, either end on the basal end of the cell or form a calyx, or cuplike structure, that surrounds it.
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- human earTransmission of sound waves in the cochlea
…increases both the number of hair cells stimulated and the rate at which they generate nerve impulses.
Read More…increases both the number of hair cells stimulated and the rate at which they generate nerve impulses.
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inner earEquilibriumEach has an organ containing hair cells similar to those of the organ of Corti. The utricle and saccule each contain a macula, an organ consisting of a patch of hair cells covered by a gelatinous membrane containing particles of calcium carbonate, called otoliths. Motions of the head cause the…
Read MoreEach has an organ containing hair cells similar to those of the organ of Corti. The utricle and saccule each contain a macula, an organ consisting of a patch of hair cells covered by a gelatinous membrane containing particles of calcium carbonate, called otoliths. Motions of the head cause the…
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human sensory receptionVestibular sense (equilibrium)…up, and stimulation of the hair cells no longer occurs until rotation suddenly stops, again circulating the endolymph. Whenever the hair cells are thus stimulated, one normally experiences a sensation of rotation in space. During rotation one exhibits reflex nystagmus (back-and-forth movement) of the eyes. Slow displacement of the eye…
Read More…up, and stimulation of the hair cells no longer occurs until rotation suddenly stops, again circulating the endolymph. Whenever the hair cells are thus stimulated, one normally experiences a sensation of rotation in space. During rotation one exhibits reflex nystagmus (back-and-forth movement) of the eyes. Slow displacement of the eye…
Read More- human earDetection of angular acceleration: dynamic equilibrium
This deflection stimulates the hair cells by bending their stereocilia in the opposite direction. German physiologist Friedrich Goltz formulated the “hydrostatic concept” in 1870 to explain the working of the semicircular canals. He postulated that the canals are stimulated by the weight of the fluid they contain, the pressure…
Read MoreThis deflection stimulates the hair cells by bending their stereocilia in the opposite direction. German physiologist Friedrich Goltz formulated the “hydrostatic concept” in 1870 to explain the working of the semicircular canals. He postulated that the canals are stimulated by the weight of the fluid they contain, the pressure…
Read More - human earDetection of linear acceleration: static equilibrium
… and the cilia of the hair cells beneath it. The otolithic membrane is covered with a mass of minute crystals of calcite (otoconia), which add to the membrane’s weight and increase the shearing forces set up in response to a slight displacement when the head is tilted. The hair bundles…
Read More… and the cilia of the hair cells beneath it. The otolithic membrane is covered with a mass of minute crystals of calcite (otoconia), which add to the membrane’s weight and increase the shearing forces set up in response to a slight displacement when the head is tilted. The hair bundles…
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sensesMechanical senses…sensitive cell known as a hair cell. The outer surface of these cells contains an array of tiny hairlike processes, including a kinocilium (not present in mammals), which has a typical internal fibre skeleton, and stereocilia, which do not have fibre skeletons. Stereocilia decrease in size with distance from the…
Read More…sensitive cell known as a hair cell. The outer surface of these cells contains an array of tiny hairlike processes, including a kinocilium (not present in mammals), which has a typical internal fibre skeleton, and stereocilia, which do not have fibre skeletons. Stereocilia decrease in size with distance from the…
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animalThe senses) Sound receptors are sensitive hair cells or membranes that depolarize a sensory neuron when bent by the passage of a sound wave. Direct deformation of the dendritic membrane or release of transmitters by the hair cells fire the sensory neurons. Aside from a few insects, only vertebrates have organs…
Read More) Sound receptors are sensitive hair cells or membranes that depolarize a sensory neuron when bent by the passage of a sound wave. Direct deformation of the dendritic membrane or release of transmitters by the hair cells fire the sensory neurons. Aside from a few insects, only vertebrates have organs…
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mechanoreceptionRotation receptors…and the sensory cells (hair cells) are arranged in a row on a ridge (crista) of the ampullar wall. The crista is oriented at right angles to the plane of the canal, and the extended hairs of its sensory cells are imbedded in a jellylike cupula that reaches to…
Read More…and the sensory cells (hair cells) are arranged in a row on a ridge (crista) of the ampullar wall. The crista is oriented at right angles to the plane of the canal, and the extended hairs of its sensory cells are imbedded in a jellylike cupula that reaches to…
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