The Auditory Pathway

The Auditory Pathway
CONNECTIONS
COCHLEAR NERVE
WITH
THE
Cochlear Nerve is a branch of auditory
nerve that transmits auditory information

from the cochlea to the brain.
Inner hair cells are necessary for normal
hearing.
Outer hair cells are effector cells.
Stereocilia
Electromotile Response
Loud sounds or noise cause the damage of
hair cells and might result to hearing loss.
THE CENTRAL AUDITORY

SYSTEM
THE CENTRAL AUDITORY

SYSTEM
Cochlear
nucleus- receive information from the
cochlea.
Superior olivary complex- involved with auditory
functions, such as localization of the source of sounds.
Lateral lemniscus- carries the fibers of the auditory
system.
Tonotopic Representation- the relationship between
cortex and basilar membrane; a topographically
organized mapping of different frequencies of sound.
2 streams of auditory association cortex:
Anterior stream- involved in the analysis of complex
sounds.
Posterior stream- involved with sound localization.
PERCEPTION OF PITCH
This corresponds to the physical dimension
of frequency.
2 TYPES OF CODING:
Place Coding- moderate to high frequencies
Rate Coding- low frequencies
PLACE CODING
A
system
by
which
different
information
about
different
frequencies is coded by the different
locations on the basilar membrane.
The higher the frequencies, the more
movement is produced at the basal
end of the basilar membrane.
Some frequencies of sound waves are
detected by means of a place code.
Code represents a means by which
neurons can represent information.
Cochlear implants are devices used
to restore hearing in people with
deafness caused by the damaged
hair cells.
RATE CODING
Place coding detects higher frequencies
while rate coding detects lower frequencies

of sounds.
The system by which information about
different frequencies of sound waves is
coded by the rate of firing of neurons in the
auditory system.
PERCEPTION OF TIMBRE
Ability to distinguish different timbre the
sound produced, or the recognition of

complex sounds.
Fundamental frequency- is the lowest,
and usually most intense, frequency of a
complex sound; the sounds basic pitch.
PERCEPTION OF SPATIAL
LOCATION
Determining whether the source of a sound
is to the right or left of us.

3 PHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS:
Phase
Differences-low frequencies; the

difference in arrival times of sound waves at
each of the eardrums.
Intensity Differences- high frequencies
Analysis of Timbre- to detect the height of
the source of a sound and recognize whether
it is in front or behind us.
PERCEPTION OF COMPLEX SOUNDS

The axons in the cochlear nerve contain a
constantly changing pattern of activity

corresponding to the constantly changing
mixtures of frequencies that strike the
eardrums.
The
auditory system of the brain
recognizes particular patterns that belong
to particular sources to be perceived as an
independent entity.
PERCEPTION OF ENVIRONMENAL
SOUNDS AND THEIR LOCATION
The auditory system must recognize that
particular patterns of constantly changing

activity belong to different sound sources.
PERCEPTION OF MUSIC
This is a special form of auditory perception.
This requires recognition of sequences of notes, their
adherence to rules that govern permissible pitches,

harmonic combinations of notes, and rhythmical
structure.
Inferior frontal cortex- recognition of harmony
Right auditory cortex- perception of the underlying
beat in music
Left auditory cortex- perception of rhythmic patterns
Cerebellum and Basal ganglia- timing of musical
rhythms
Amusia- loss or impairment of musical abilities,
produced by hereditary factors or brain damage.
The Vestibular Pathway
VESTIBULAR PATHWAY
Vestibular Ganglion is a nodule on the
vestibular nerve that contains the cell

bodies of the bipolar neurons that convey
vestibular information to the brain.
Most of the axons of the vestibular nerve
join within the vestibular nuclei in the
medulla, but some axons travel directly to
the cerebellum.
Neurons of the vestibular nuclei send axons
to the cerebellum, spinal cord, medulla,
and pons.
Cortical projections are responsible for
feelings of dizziness.
VESTIBULAR PATHWAY
Activity of projections to the lower brain
stem can produce nausea and vomiting

that accompany motion sickness.
Projections
to
brain
stem
nuclei
controlling neck muscles are involved in
maintaining upright position of the head
and in producing eye movements.

The Auditory Pathway

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The Auditory Pathway

Cochlear Nerve is a branch of auditory

nerve that transmits auditory information

hair cells and might result to hearing loss.

THE CENTRAL AUDITORY

THE CENTRAL AUDITORY

nucleus- receive information from the

while rate coding detects lower frequencies

sound produced, or the recognition of

is to the right or left of us.

Differences-low frequencies; the

PERCEPTION OF COMPLEX SOUNDS

constantly changing pattern of activity

particular patterns of constantly changing

adherence to rules that govern permissible pitches,

The Vestibular Pathway

vestibular nerve that contains the cell

stem can produce nausea and vomiting

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