The basilar membrane is the fibrous floor of the cochlear duct, stretching from the osseous spiral lamina to the spiral ligament. It supports the organ of Corti. It is narrow and stiff at the base of the cochlea and wider and floppier at the apex.
| Location | Floor of the cochlear duct, running the full length of the cochlea |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | None directly; supports hair cells innervated by the cochlear nerve |
| Blood Supply | Vessels of the spiral ligament and osseous spiral lamina |
Vibrates in response to sound and separates sounds by frequency along its length, moving the hair cells it carries.
This graded stiffness makes each part of the membrane vibrate most at a particular frequency, high at the base and low at the apex, forming the basis of the cochlea's frequency map. The travelling wave described by Georg von Bekesy runs along it. Outer hair cells actively amplify its motion, which sharpens tuning.
Damage to hair cells over the basal turn of the basilar membrane, from noise, ageing or ototoxic drugs, first affects high-pitched sounds.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
