Title | The influence of cochlear shape on low-frequency hearing |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2008 |
Authors | Manoussaki, D. [3], R. S. Chadwick [4], D. R. Ketten [5], J. J. Arruda [6], E. K. Dimitriadis [7], and J. T. O' Malley [8] |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 105 |
Start Page | 6162 |
Issue | 16 |
Pagination | 6162-6166 |
Date Published | 02/2008 |
Type of Article | Scientific |
Keywords | cochlea [9], cochlear spiral [10], function [11], inner ear [12], low frequency hearing [13], mammalian evolution [14], spiral [15] |
Abstract | The conventional theory about the snail shell shape of the mammalian cochlea is that it evolved essentially and perhaps solely to conserve space inside the skull. Recently, a theory proposed that the spiral‘s graded curvature enhances the cochlea’s mechanical response to low frequencies. This article provides a multi-species analysis of cochlear shape to test this theory and demonstrates that the ratio of the radii of curvature from the outermost and innermost turns of the cochlear spiral is a significant cochlear feature that correlates strongly with low-frequency hearing limits. The ratio, which is a measure of curvature gradient, is a reflection of the ability of cochlear curvature to focus acoustic energy at the outer wall of the cochlear canal as the wave propagates toward the apex of the cochlea. |
Links:
[1] http://csi.whoi.edu/content/influence-cochlear-shape-low-frequency-hearing
[2] http://csi.whoi.edu/sites/default/files/literature/Full%20Text_7.pdf
[3] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/author/52
[4] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/author/53
[5] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/author/4
[6] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/author/9
[7] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/author/54
[8] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/author/19
[9] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/keyword/148
[10] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/keyword/617
[11] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/keyword/88
[12] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/keyword/3
[13] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/keyword/616
[14] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/keyword/89
[15] http://csi.whoi.edu/biblio/keyword/90
[16] http://csi.whoi.edu/category/biblio-keywords/cochlea
[17] http://csi.whoi.edu/taxonomy/term/832
[18] http://csi.whoi.edu/category/biblio-keywords/function
[19] http://csi.whoi.edu/category/biblio-keywords/inner-ear
[20] http://csi.whoi.edu/taxonomy/term/831
[21] http://csi.whoi.edu/category/biblio-keywords/mammalian-evolution
[22] http://csi.whoi.edu/category/biblio-keywords/spiral