Reissner's membrane vibrations in the apical turn of a living guinea pig cochlea

Abstract

Mechanical tuning curves were recorded at several radial locations on the Reissner's membrane, over a wide range of frequencies, and sound pressure levels. The position coordinates of each location were also recorded. The shape of the tuning curves changed dramatically with the radial location. Near the outer edge of the cochlea the response was broadly tuned, with a maxima near 300 Hz, while near the inner edge the response showed at least three maxima and minima. Responses were also measured at the reticular lamina. The shapes of the frequency responses at the Reissner's membrane are quite different from those measured at the reticular lamina below it.