Question 1

Which of the following makes a direct connection with the round window?&#10;A)Incus&#10;B)Stapes&#10;C)Malleus&#10;D)None of the above

Accepted Answer

The round window is not directly connected to any of the ossicles (incus, stapes, malleus); instead, it is part of the inner ear, serving as a flexible membrane that allows movement of fluid within the cochlea when the oval window is moved by the stapes.

Question 2

Damage to the inner hair cells of the organ of Corti located from the midpoint of the basilar membrane to the helicotrema will most likely result in a loss of the ability to accomplish which of the following?

A)Perceive high-frequency sounds
B)Taste all but the bitter taste sensation
C)Appreciate floral scent
D)Perceive low-frequency sounds

D

Accepted Answer

The organ of Corti, located on the basilar membrane within the cochlea, is crucial for hearing. Inner hair cells along the basilar membrane are responsible for transducing sound vibrations into neural signals. The basilar membrane is tonotopically organized, meaning different parts of the membrane vibrate in response to different frequencies of sound. High-frequency sounds are detected at the base of the cochlea (near the oval window), while low-frequency sounds are detected near the apex of the cochlea (towards the helicotrema). Therefore, damage to the inner hair cells from the midpoint of the basilar membrane to the helicotrema would impair the perception of low-frequency sounds.

Question 3

Low-frequency sound causes which portion of the basilar membrane to vibrate to the greatest extent?&#10;A)Near oval window&#10;B)Middle portion&#10;C)Along entire length&#10;D)Near helicotrema

Accepted Answer

Low-frequency sounds cause the portion of the basilar membrane near the helicotrema to vibrate to the greatest extent, as the membrane is wider and more flexible at this end, allowing it to respond better to these frequencies.

Question 4

High-frequency sound causes which portion of the basilar membrane to vibrate?&#10;A)Near oval window&#10;B)Middle portion&#10;C)Along entire length&#10;D)Near helicotrema

Accepted Answer

High-frequency sound waves cause the basilar membrane to vibrate near the oval window, which is where the stiffer and narrower part of the membrane is located. This results in the activation of high-frequency hair cells and the perception of high-pitched sounds.

Question 5

Which of the following makes a direct connection with the oval window?&#10;A)Tympanic membrane&#10;B)Stapes&#10;C)Malleus&#10;D)Incus

Accepted Answer

The stapes, which is the smallest bone in the human body, connects to the oval window of the cochlea in the inner ear. This direct connection allows vibrations from the stapes to be transmitted directly to the fluid inside the cochlea, which then stimulates the auditory nerve and allows us to hear. The tympanic membrane, malleus, and incus are all part of the middle ear, but they do not make a direct connection with the oval window.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the receptor organ that generates nerve impulses required for hearing?&#10;A)Basilar membrane&#10;B)Organ of Corti&#10;C)Scala tympani&#10;D)Stapes

Accepted Answer

The receptor organ that generates nerve impulses required for hearing is the Organ of Corti. This is located inside the cochlea and contains specialized hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain via the auditory nerve. The other options mentioned, such as the basilar membrane, scala tympani, and stapes are all structures that are involved in the process of hearing, but they do not generate nerve impulses directly.

Question 7

The attenuation reflex protects the cochlea from loud, low-frequency sounds by which of the following mechanisms?&#10;A)Contraction of both stapedius and tensor tympani muscles&#10;B)Contraction of stapedius muscle, relaxation of tensor tympani muscle&#10;C)Relaxation of both stapedius and tensor tympani muscles&#10;D)Relaxation of stapedius muscle, contraction of tensor tympani muscle

Accepted Answer

The attenuation reflex involves the contraction of both the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles. This action helps to dampen the transmission of sound vibrations to the inner ear, protecting the cochlea from potential damage caused by loud, low-frequency sounds.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the function of the rows of outer hair cells in the organ of Corti?&#10;A)Adjust sensitivity of inner hair cells to stimulation&#10;B)Transduce the auditory signal itself&#10;C)Determine the direction of sound&#10;D)Adjust stiffness of basilar membrane through reflex activity

Accepted Answer

The rows of outer hair cells function to adjust the sensitivity of inner hair cells to stimulation. They do this by altering the stiffness of the basilar membrane, which in turn changes the spatial distribution of vibration within the cochlea. This enables the inner hair cells to respond more selectively to specific frequencies of sound.

Question 9

The function of the round window can best be described by which of the following statements?&#10;A)Provides connection point for stapes&#10;B)Serves to damp out low-frequency sounds such as your own voice&#10;C)Transmits frequency information into cochlea from tympanic membrane&#10;D)Serves as pressure relief valve for cochlea

Accepted Answer

The round window serves as a pressure relief valve for the cochlea, allowing for the displacement of fluid in response to the movement of the stapes. This function helps to prevent damage to the delicate structures of the inner ear. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the function of the round window; the stapes connects to the oval window, the ear drum transmits frequency information to the middle ear, and the round window does not specifically dampen low-frequency sounds.

Question 10

In the central auditory system, nerve fibers from the superior olivary nucleus project to which of the following?&#10;A)Medial geniculate nucleus via medial lemniscus&#10;B)Auditory cortex via superior colliculus&#10;C)Superior colliculus via trapezoid body&#10;D)Inferior colliculus via lateral lemniscus

Accepted Answer

Nerve fibers from the superior olivary nucleus project to the inferior colliculus via the lateral lemniscus. The medial geniculate nucleus is reached via the inferior colliculus, and the superior colliculus is reached via the trapezoid body.

Question 11

The bending of hair cell stereocilia mediates auditory signals through which of the following mechanisms?&#10;A)Both depolarization and hyperpolarization&#10;B)Depolarization only&#10;C)Hyperpolarization only

Accepted Answer

The answer of The bending of hair cell stereocilia mediates...

Question 12

The function of the inner hair cells of the organ of Corti is best described as which of the following?&#10;A)Transduces auditory signal&#10;B)Adjusts sensitivity of outer hair cells&#10;C)Sends inhibitory signals to lateral geniculate nucleus&#10;D)Stabilizes basilar membrane

Accepted Answer

The answer of The function of the inner hair cells...

Question 13

Which structure within the central auditory pathway is involved in determining the direction of sound?&#10;A)Trapezoid body&#10;B)Superior olivary nucleus&#10;C)Auditory cortex&#10;D)Inferior colliculus

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which structure within the central auditory pathway...

Question 14

How many rows of outer hair cells are present in the human organ of Corti?&#10;A)One&#10;B)Two&#10;C)Three&#10;D)Four

Accepted Answer

The answer of How many rows of outer hair cells...

Question 15

Following Questions : A 20-year-old soldier suffers a noise-induced hearing loss over a period of 6 months as a result of multiple exposures to loud sounds. Use this information to answer the next two questions.
Loss of which of the following structures is most likely to contribute to the hearing deficit?

A)Cochlea
B)Inner hair cells
C)Organ of Corti
D)Scala media
E)Scala vestibuli

Accepted Answer

The answer of Following Questions : A 20-year-old soldier suffers...

Question 16

In the central auditory pathway, which of the following represents the correct sequence of structures in the pathway?&#10;A)Cochlear nuclei &#8594; superior olive &#8594; inferior colliculus via lateral lemniscus &#8594; medial geniculate &#8594; auditory cortex&#10;B)Cochlear nuclei &#8594; inferior olive &#8594; inferior colliculus via medial lemniscus &#8594; medial geniculate &#8594; auditory cortex&#10;C)Cochlear nuclei &#8594; superior olive - superior colliculus via lateral lemniscus &#8594; lateral geniculate &#8594; auditory cortex&#10;D)Cochlear nuclei &#8594; inferior olive &#8594; inferior colliculus via lateral lemniscus &#8594; lateral geniculate &#8594; auditory cortex

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the central auditory pathway, which of...

Question 17

Following Questions : A 20-year-old soldier suffers a noise-induced hearing loss over a period of 6 months as a result of multiple exposures to loud sounds. Use this information to answer the next two questions.
Loss of which of the following structures is most likely to contribute to the hearing deficit?

A)Cochlea
B)Inner hair cells
C)Organ of Corti
D)Scala media
E)Scala vestibuli

Accepted Answer

The answer of Following Questions : A 20-year-old soldier suffers...

Deck 53: The Sense of Hearing