basilar membrane

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. a supporting membrane, especially the membrane that supports the organ of Corti in the ear and aids in translating sound vibrations into electrical signals.

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Etymology

Origin of basilar membrane

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Once in the cochlea, the energy causes the basilar membrane to flex, thereby bending the stereocilia on receptor hair cells.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The basilar membrane vibrates in different regions, according to the frequency of the sound waves impinging on it.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

When sound waves produce fluid waves inside the cochlea, the basilar membrane flexes, bending the stereocilia that attach to the tectorial membrane.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Because the tectorial membrane only moves where the basilar membrane moves, the hair cells in this region will also only respond to sounds of this specific frequency.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A third view is that the filaments from the hair cells, rather than the basilar membrane, respond to the vibrations and in turn stimulate the terminations of the nerve fibers.

From Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary Schools by Walters, Francis M.