Traveling waves... On the tectorial membrane

Roozbeh Ghaffari, A. J. Aranyosi, Dennis M. Freeman

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We show that isolated sections of the TM suspended in artificial endolymph support traveling waves of radial motion that propagate longitudinally. The velocities of the TM traveling waves are remarkably similar to those of basilar membrane (BM) near the best place. A simple model shows that these waves are intrinsic to the viscoelastic structure of the TM. Analysis of models of cochlear loads suggests that TM traveling waves are little affected by the stiffness of hair bundles and the limbal attachment or by viscous damping in the subtectorial space. TM waves are inconsistent with a fundamental assumption in “classical” cochlear macromechanical models: that adjacent longitudinal sections of the cochlea are coupled through the fluid alone. Also, cochlear micromechanics, which are conventionally envisioned as local processes that depend on just neighboring structures, must be rethought as a global process extending over significant longitudinal distances.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConcepts and Challenges in the Biophysics of Hearing - Proceedings of the 10th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing, MoH 2008
EditorsNigel P. Cooper, David T. Kemp
PublisherWorld Scientific Publishing Co. Pte Ltd
Pages247-254
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9789812833778
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
Event10th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing - Concepts and Challenges in the Biophysics of Hearing, MoH 2008 - Newcastle, United Kingdom
Duration: Jul 27 2008Jul 31 2008

Publication series

NameConcepts and Challenges in the Biophysics of Hearing - Proceedings of the 10th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing, MoH 2008

Conference

Conference10th International Workshop on the Mechanics of Hearing - Concepts and Challenges in the Biophysics of Hearing, MoH 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityNewcastle
Period7/27/087/31/08

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biomedical Engineering

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