The Auditory System From Cochlea to Cortex

Course Description

This course will examine the structure and function of the human auditory system beginning with the external ear and progressing centrally through the cochlea to the brainstem, thalamus and cerebral cortex. The location of the cochlea in the petrous temporal bone will be explored through human dissection and the features of the organ of Corti will be presented using histological sections. A mechanism for cochlear function will be outlined and applied to an understanding of congenital deafness and to the use of a cochlear prosthesis. Finally, the course will also follow the path of the auditory nerve into the brainstem and examine the main connections from the cochlear nucleus to the cerebral cortex.

Learning Objectives:

• The student will be able to relate the structural features of the external and middle ear to their function in the processing of acoustic stimuli.
• The student will be able to use the knowledge of cochlear structure and function to understand the clinical presentation of congenital and acquired hearing loss.
• The student will be able to relate the structure of the central auditory pathways to their functional role in the processing of acoustic stimuli.