cochlea

cochlea /coch·lea/ (kok´le-ah)

1. anything of a spiral form.

2. a spiral tube forming part of the inner ear, which is the essential organ of hearing. coch´lear

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coch·le·a (kkl-, kkl-)

n. pl. coch·le·as or coch·le·ae (-l-)

A spiral-shaped cavity in the petrous portion of the temporal bone of the inner ear, containing the nerve endings essential for hearing and forming one of the divisions of the labyrinth.

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cochle·ar (-r) adj.

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Cochlea

The hearing part of the inner ear. This snail-shaped structure contains fluid and thousands of microscopic hair cells tuned to various frequencies, in addition to the organ of Corti (the receptor for hearing).

Mentioned in: Cochlear Implants, Ototoxicity, Stapedectomy

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cochlea

[kok′lē·ə]

Etymology: L, snail shell

the auditory portion of the inner ear. It is a spiral tunnel about 30 mm long with two full and three quarter-turns, resembling a tiny snail shell and containing the sense organ for hearing. cochlear, adj.

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cochlea

a spiral tube forming part of the inner ear, shaped like a snail shell, which is the essential organ of hearing.

The cochlea is filled with fluid and is connected with the middle ear by two membrane-covered openings, the oval window (fenestra vestibuli) and the round window (fenestra cochleae). Inside the cochlea is the organ of Corti, a structure of highly specialized cells that translate sound vibrations into nerve impulses. The cells of this organ have tiny hairlike strands (cilia) that protrude into the fluid of the cochlea.

Sound vibrations are relayed from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) by the ear ossicles in the middle ear to the oval window of the cochlea, where they set up corresponding vibrations in the fluid of the cochlea. These vibrations move the cilia of the organ of Corti, which then sends nerve impulses to the brain. Called also osseus cochlea. See also hearing.

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tibial cochlea

articular surface of the distal extremity of the tibia.