basilar membrane

a fibrous membrane within the cochlea that supports the organ of Corti. In response to sound, the basilar membrane vibrates; this leads to stimulation of the hair cells—the auditory receptors within the organ of Corti. The mechanical properties of the basilar membrane vary over its length (34 mm in humans), giving rise to a pattern of movement known as a traveling wave, or Békésy traveling wave. The location of the maximum movement depends on the frequency of the sound. This fundamental aspect of mammalian hearing was discovered by Georg von Békésy.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 19th 2024

aniseikonia

n. a condition in which the two eyes perceive images of unequal size or shape when these are viewed through each eye separately. It may be an unintended consequence of clinical alterations made to the cornea or lens.