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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Basilar and Tectorial Membrane?

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The basilar and tectorial membranes are two acellular membranes located in the cochlea of the inner ear. They play crucial roles in the auditory process and have distinct differences:

  1. Location: The basilar membrane forms the floor of the cochlear duct and divides the spiraled cochlear into upper and lower chambers. The tectorial membrane, on the other hand, is located above the spiral limbus and the spiral organ of Corti, and extends along the longitudinal length of the cochlea parallel to the basilar membrane.
  2. Function: The basilar membrane serves as the base for the hair cells, which are the auditory receptor cells in the inner ear. The tectorial membrane is crucial for the proper functioning of the cochlea, as it plays a role in the mechanical movement and frequency tuning.
  3. Vibration: Vibrations in the basilar membrane are traveling waves, while tectorial membrane vibrations are standing waves. Tectorial membrane traveling waves have larger dynamic ranges, sharper frequency tuning, and apically shifted positions of peak vibration compared to basilar membrane traveling waves.
  4. Dimensions: The basilar membrane is widest and least stiff at the apex of the cochlea and narrowest and stiffest at the base near the round and oval windows. The tectorial membrane thickness varies across three zones: the limbal, middle, and marginal zones, with the limbal zone being the thinnest and the marginal zone being the thickest.
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  • What is the Difference Between Basilar and Tectorial Membrane?
  • Comparative Table: Basilar vs Tectorial Membrane

    • Comparative Table: Basilar vs Tectorial Membrane

    The basilar and tectorial membranes are two important structures within the cochlea, a part of the inner ear responsible for hearing. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:

    Feature Basilar Membrane Tectorial Membrane
    Location Forms the floor of the cochlear duct Located above the spiral limbus and the spiral organ of Corti, extending along the longitudinal length of the cochlea parallel to the basilar membrane
    Function Supports the auditory receptor cells (hair cells) Influences inner ear sensory cells by storing calcium ions, important for healthy auditory function in mammals
    Structure Acellular membrane Fibrous sheet
    Zones No distinct zones Has three zones: limbal, middle, and marginal (limbal is the thinnest, marginal is the thickest)
    Hair Cells Contains 3,500 inner hair cells and 12,000 outer hair cells in the human cochlea Hair cells contact the tectorial membrane with their stereocilia

    The basilar membrane is an acellular membrane that forms the floor of the cochlear duct and supports the auditory receptor cells, while the tectorial membrane is a fibrous sheet located above the spiral limbus and the spiral organ of Corti, influencing inner ear sensory cells by storing calcium ions.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.