False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of the organ of Corti in the human inner ear, following the removal of the covering, te

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False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of the organ of Corti in the human inner ear, following the removal of the covering, tectorial membrane. At bottom is a single row of inner hair cells containing stereocilia (hair- like projections) that are linearly arranged. In contrast, the stereocilia associated with the upper layers of outer hair cells are arranged in an inverted V-shape. Each hair cell may support up to 100 individual stereocilia, which function in translating the movement caused by sound waves into electrical impulses that are transmitted to the brain via the cochlear nerve. Magnification: x730 at 35mm, x1460 at 6x7cm size.

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Size: 4224px × 3448px
Photo credit: © PHOTO INSOLITE REALITE & V. GREMET/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: anatomy, auditory, body, corti, ear, hearing, human, organ, sense, stereocilia