NEUROANATOMY OF AUDITORY

SYSTEM
 The Auditory System
• Is an exteroceptive special somatic afferent
(SSA) system.
• detects sound frequencies from 20 Hz to
20,000 Hz.
• functions over an intensity range of 120
decibels (dB) and can discriminate changes in
intensity between 1 dB and 2 dB.
• is characterized by tonotopic (pitch)
localization at all levels of the neuraxis.
 Outer, Middle, and Inner Ear

• A. Outer ear • consists of an auricle and an

external auditory meatus.
• is separated from the
middle ear by the tympanic
membrane.
• conducts sound waves to
the tympanic membrane.
• blockage (with wax) causes
conduction deafness.
 B. Middle ear (tympanic cavity)
• located within the temporal bone and serves as an amplifier and
impedance matching device. Communicates with the nasopharynx via the
auditory tube.
• receives its blood supply from the stylomastoid branch of the occipital or
posterior auricular artery.
• receives sensory innervation mediated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN
IX).
• contains the chorda tympani of CN VII, which mediates taste sensa tion
and parasympathetic input into the submandibular and sublingual glands.
• pathology results in conduction deafness.
• Contains :
– Tympanic membrane
– Middle ear osscicles
– Tensor tympani and stapedius muscles
 C. Inner Ear (Membranous Labyrinth)
• Located within the bony labyrinth of the temporal bone.
• Receives its blood supply from the labyrinthine artery,
usually a branch of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery.
• Contains the cochlea, which houses the following
structures:
1. Scala vestibuli
2. Cochlear duct (scala media)
3. Organ of Corti
4. Hair cells
5. Basilar membrane
6. Spiral ganglion
 Auditory Pathway
• Consists of :
1. Hair cells of the organ of Corti
2. Bipolar cells of the spiral (cochlera) ganglion
3. Cochlear nerve (CN.VIII)
4. Cochlear nuclei
5. Superior olivary nucleus
6. Trapezoid body
7. Lateral lemniscus
8. Nucleus of the inferior colliculus
9. Medial geniculate body
10.Auditory radiation
11.Transverse temporal gyri of Heschl
 Olivocochlear Bundle
• a crossed and uncrossed tract that arises from
the superior olivary nucleus and projects to
the hair cells of the organ of Corti.
• suppresses auditory nerve activity when
stimulated.
• plays a role, through inhibition, in "auditory
sharpening."
 Hearing Defects
A. Conduction deafness:
A. Obstruction of external auditory meatus
B. Otosclerosis
C. Otitis media
B. Nerve deafness (sensorineural or perceptive)
A. Persbycusis
B. Acoustic neuroma