KEURO-MUSCULAR MECHANISM 



143 



of Copti (fig. 71). This is set upon the basilar membrane, and 

 consists from within, outwards, of 1st. A set of elongated sup- 

 porting cells; 2nd. A row of columnar cells, with short, stiff, 

 hair-like processes projecting from their free border ; 3rd. The 

 inner rods of Corti, each of which may be compared to an 

 uluar bone attached by its terminal end, and fitting on to 

 the heads of the outer rods ; &th. The outer rods of Corti, 

 each resembling a swan's head and neck the neck attached 

 to the basilar membrane, and the back of the head fitting 



FIG. 71. Transverse Section through one turn of the Cochlea to show the 

 Organ of Corti on the Basilar Membrane. S.M., scala media; S. V. 

 scala vestibuli ; S.T. , scala tympaui. 



into the hollow surface of the inner rods ; 5th. Several rows 

 of outer hair cells, with some spindle-shaped cells among 

 them ; 6th. The outer supporting cells ; 7th. Lying over 

 the inner and outer hair cells is the membrana reticularis, 

 resembling a net, through the meshes of which the hairs 

 project ; 8th. Arching over this organ is a homogeneous 

 membrane the membrana tectoria. 



The membranous labyrinth is attached to the inner wall 

 of the bony labyrinth at certain points, through which fibres 

 of the VIII. nerve to the terminal organs enter it. One set 

 of fibres goes to the utricle and to the ampullae. A quite 



