INNER HAIR CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Inner hair cells (IHCs) refer to specialized sensory cells located in the spiral-shaped organ called the cochlea, which is part of the inner ear. The cochlea is responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. IHCs are one of the two types of hair cells found within the cochlea, alongside the outer hair cells (OHCs). These hair cells play a crucial role in the process of auditory transduction, acting as the primary sensory receptors for sound.
Compared to the OHCs, IHCs are fewer in number but are considered to be more important in terms of their role in auditory perception. They are arranged in a single row along the inner side of the organ of Corti, a structure within the cochlea that sits on the basilar membrane and stretches along its length. The IHCs are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be transmitted to the auditory nerve fibers, which finally relay the information to the brain.
The inner hair cells possess hair-like sensory structures known as stereocilia. When sound waves enter the cochlea, they cause the basilar membrane to vibrate. These mechanical vibrations cause the stereocilia to bend, leading to the opening of ion channels and triggering the release of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters then stimulate the auditory nerve fibers, initiating the transmission of electrical signals to the brain, where they are further processed to perceive and interpret sound.
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