Auditory System

Stimulus = > SOUND

 Auditory stimulation initiates Vibration of the Tympanic Membrane Transmitted via the Ear Ossicles > Maleus, Incus, Stapes To the Oval Window at the base of the Cochlea

 The Organ of Corti within the scala media of the cochlea of the inner ear contains Hair cells

 Vibration of the Oval Window causes Pressure waves in the periotic fluid of the Scala Vestibuli Which are transmitted to the fluid in the Scala Tympani

 The Basilar Membrane then vibrates and causing Hair cells to come into contact with the tectorial membrane initiating Neural Impulses

 The Cochlea had 2 and a half turns around the central bony modiolus Low notes are detected by upper portions of the organ of corti High notes are detected by the lower most portions

 Bipolar neurons located in the modiolus constitute the Spiral (Cochlear) ganglion Peripheral processes innervate hair cells of the organ of Corti Central processes constitute the Cochlear Division of the CN VIII And traverse the Internal Auditory Canal accompanied by the vestibular division And attach to the brainstem at the cerebello pontine angle

Relationship of the Auditory Nerve within the Internal Auditory Canal

Facial nerve and Superior division of the Vestibular nerve are Above Cochlear nerve and the Inferior Division of the Vestibular nerve are Below Separated by the transverse crest of the internal auditory canal

 Auditory fibers pass dorsal to the Restiform Body And terminate in the Dorsal and Ventral Cochlear nuclei

Cochlear nuclei lie on the dorso lateral aspect of the restiform body, and are continuous with each other

Central Connections of the Cochlear Nuclei

Reflex connections between cochlear nuclei and the facial nerve nucleus mediate > stapedial reflex Similar connections to the motor trigeminal nucleus mediate > tensor tympani reflex

 The auditory relay pathway to the cerebral cortex involves the following groups of nuclei: 1. Superior Olivary Nucleus 2. Nucleus of the Trapezoid body 3. Nucleus of the Lateral Lemniscus 4. Nucleus of the Inferior Colliculus 5. Medial Geniculate Nucleus

Axons leave both cochlear nuclei and Cross the brainstem to form the Lateral Lemniscus to the contralateral side These axons, in crossing the midline, form the Cochlear Striae > dorsal > intermediate > ventral

 The ventral stria intermingle with ascending fibers of the medial lemniscus in their course across the midline, thereby forming the Trapezoid Body

 Some cochlear fibers synapse upon neurons in this location (nucleus of the trapezoid body) Trapezoid body neurons project axons into the Lateral Lemniscus

 Intermediate Stria axons may synapse on cells of the ipsilateral Superior Olivary nucleus Cells of this nucleus project axons into the Ipsilateral Lateral Lemniscus

Scattered neurons along the course of the lateral lemniscus constitute the nucleus of that tract and some ascending fibers synapse upon these cells

Axons arising from nucleus of the lateral lemniscus ascend with the remainder of the lateral lemniscus

The lateral lemniscus (relaying impulses from the contralateral ear and some from the ipsilateral ear) terminates in the inferior colliculus of the midbrain

Axons from cells of the Inferior colliculus decussate to synapse upon neurons in the contralateral Inferior Colliculus

 Other axons of the inferior colliculus neurons constitute the auditory pathway, via the brachium of the inferior colliculus, to synapse in the Medial Geniculate Body of the thalamus

 Projections from the MGB constitute the Auditory Radiations Which course laterally beneath the lenticular nucleus (putamen and globus pallidus) to their cortical destination

 Transverse temporal gyri of Heschl in the floor of the lateral fissure, and the Superior surface (bordering the lateral fissure) of the Superior temporal gyrus constitute the Primary Auditory Cortex

 Because of the intermingling of auditory impulses occurring in the inferior colliculus The primary auditory cortex receives input derived from both ears From the contralateral ear predominately

 Some inferior colliculus neurons are involved in mediating, via tectospinal and tectobulbar pathways, Reflex Postural Adjustments In response to sudden sounds In addition to being part of the cortically directed auditory pathway

 The Auditory Nerve contains some efferent neurons which arise from the region of the superior olivary nucleus and terminate upon the Organ of Corti

Central Lesions of the Auditory Pathway result in Bilateral Deficits though usually more pronounced in the Contralateral Ear

 Peripheral lesions result in Unilateral Hearing Deficits

Loss of hearing may be due to:

Defect of the auditory-conducting mechanism in the middle ear Damage to the receptor cells on the spiral organ of corti in the cochlea Lesion of the cochlear nerve Lesion of the central auditory pathways Lesion of the cortex of the temporal lobe

Lesions of the internal ear

Menieres disease Acute labyrinthitis Trauma following head injury

Lesions of the cochlear nerve

Tumor acoustic neuroma Trauma

Lesions in the CNS

Tumors of the midbrain Multiple sclerosis