Form and function of the mammalian inner ear.

J Anat

Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.

Published: February 2016

AI Article Synopsis

  • The inner ear of mammals includes the cochlea for hearing and vestibule/semicircular canals for balance, all of which are connected structurally.
  • The cochlea's anatomy features elements like size, internal structure development, and coiling, which are crucial for understanding auditory function.
  • Variations in the shape and orientation of semicircular canals among species may help us better understand their role in balance and movement.

Article Abstract

The inner ear of mammals consists of the cochlea, which is involved with the sense of hearing, and the vestibule and three semicircular canals, which are involved with the sense of balance. Although different regions of the inner ear contribute to different functions, the bony chambers and membranous ducts are morphologically continuous. The gross anatomy of the cochlea that has been related to auditory physiologies includes overall size of the structure, including volume and total spiral length, development of internal cochlear structures, including the primary and secondary bony laminae, morphology of the spiral nerve ganglion, and the nature of cochlear coiling, including total number of turns completed by the cochlear canal and the relative diameters of the basal and apical turns. The overall sizes, shapes, and orientations of the semicircular canals are related to sensitivity to head rotations and possibly locomotor behaviors. Intraspecific variation, primarily in the shape and orientation of the semicircular canals, may provide additional clues to help us better understand form and function of the inner ear.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4718163PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/joa.12308DOI Listing

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