organ of corti

organ of Cor·ti   (kôr'tē)    n.  A specialized structure located on the inner surface of the basilar membrane of the cochlea containing hair cells that transmit sound vibrations to the nerve fibers. [After Alfonso Corti (1822-1888), Italian anatomist.]

Main Entry: organ of Cor·ti
Pronunciation: -'kort-E
Function: noun
: a complex epithelial structure in the cochlea that in mammals is the chief partof the ear by which sound is directly perceived and that rests on the internal surface of the basilar membrane and contains two spiral rows of minute rods of Corti which arch over a spiral tunnel ofCorti and support on the inner side a single row of columnar hair cells and on the outer side several rows having their bases surrounded by nerve-cell arborizations —compare ARCH OF CORTI
Corti, Alfonso Giacomo Gaspare (1822–1876), Italian anatomist. Corti is rememberedfor his pioneering investigations of the mammalian cochlea. Inspired by the color effect of chromic acid solutions, which were used as fixing agents, he introduced carmine staining into microscopicanatomy. This method enabled Corti to distinguish and describe the individual components of the membranous cochlea. A number of these components including the organ of Corti, the tunnel of Corti, andthe rods of Corti are now identified with his name. Corti published his research in 1851.

organ of Corti n.
See spiral organ.

organ of Corti   (kôr'tē)  Pronunciation Key  A spiral-shaped organ on the inner surface of the cochlea containing sensory receptors called hair cells that convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses. The organ of Corti is named after its discoverer, Italian anatomist Alfonso Corti (1822-1888).