Lamina basilaris is a term used in anatomy to refer to the basal layer of the cochlear duct. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The word "lamina" is pronounced as ləˈmiːnə, while "basilaris" is pronounced as bəˈsɪlərɪs. The stress is on the second syllable of each word, and the vowels are pronounced as "uh" in "lamin-" and "i" in "basil-". The final "s" in "basilaris" is pronounced as "z".
Lamina basilaris refers to a specific anatomical structure in the human body, primarily related to the inner ear. It is a thin, tough, and elastic plate-like membrane located within the cochlea, which is a spiral-shaped structure responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The lamina basilaris is an essential component of the organ of Corti, which is the specialized structure within the cochlea responsible for detecting sound.
The lamina basilaris forms a crucial part of the basilar membrane, aiding in the transmission and interpretation of sound waves. Its elasticity enables it to vibrate in response to different frequencies, allowing for the detection of various pitches. Moreover, the lamina basilaris serves as support for another structure called the organ of Corti, which contains thousands of specialized hair cells responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals.
The resonance and bending of the lamina basilaris in response to different sound frequencies create a tonotopic representation, where different areas along the membrane correspond to specific pitches. This enables the brain to interpret and distinguish between different frequencies, ultimately contributing to human hearing and auditory perception.
Understanding the structure and function of the lamina basilaris is crucial in diagnosing and treating various hearing impairments and disorders, as any damage or abnormalities in this region can result in hearing loss or difficulties in processing sound.
The basal lamina of the neural tube, a broad strip on the ventral surface.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "lamina basilaris" has Latin roots. "Lamina" comes from the Latin word "lamina" meaning "a thin plate" or "a layer". "Basilaris" is derived from the Latin word "basis" which means "base". Therefore, "lamina basilaris" translates to "the basal layer" or "the base plate" in English. This term is often used in anatomy to describe the basal plate of the cochlea, a part of the inner ear.