The basilar membrane is an essential component of the inner ear and plays a crucial role in hearing. It is a thin, flexible, and delicate membrane that runs through the cochlea, a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of the basilar membrane.
Definitions
The basilar membrane is defined as a thin, flexible, and delicate membrane that runs through the cochlea and separates the scala media from the scala tympani. It is an essential component of the inner ear and plays a crucial role in hearing.
Origin
The basilar membrane was first described by Giovanni Battista Morgagni, an Italian anatomist, in 1714. However, it was not until the 19th century that its function and importance in hearing were fully understood.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The basilar membrane is defined as follows in different dictionaries:
- Merriam-Webster: a delicate membrane in the cochlea of the inner ear that vibrates in response to sound waves and separates the scala media from the scala tympani.
- Oxford English Dictionary: a thin, flexible, and delicate membrane that runs through the cochlea and separates the scala media from the scala tympani.
Associations
The basilar membrane is associated with the following:
- Hearing: The basilar membrane plays a crucial role in hearing by vibrating in response to sound waves and converting them into neural signals that the brain can interpret.
- Cochlea: The basilar membrane is a component of the cochlea, a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear that is responsible for hearing.
Synonyms
The following are synonyms of basilar membrane:
- Membrana basilaris.
- Basilar lamina.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms of basilar membrane.
The same root words
The following are the same root words as basilar membrane:
– Membrane.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the term basilar membrane:
- The basilar membrane is a crucial component of the inner ear that plays a vital role in hearing.
- The vibrations of the basilar membrane in response to sound waves are converted into neural signals that the brain can interpret as sound.
- Damage to the basilar membrane can result in hearing loss or impairment.