Final answer:
Endolymph is the fluid in the inner ear's membranous labyrinth used for hair cell functions in hearing and balance, while perilymph is similar to spinal fluid, located in the space around the membranous labyrinth and facilitating sound transmission. Sound vibrations travel from the eardrum to the inner ear, excite the nerves, and send hearing signals to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Endolymph and perilymph are two types of fluids found within the compartments of the inner ear. The endolymph is the fluid contained within the membranous labyrinth, which is a collection of tubes and sacs lying within the bony labyrinth that includes structures such as the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals. It is important for the function of the hair cells used in both hearing and balance.
On the other hand, the perilymph is found in the space between the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear and the bone that encloses it. This fluid is very similar to spinal fluid and facilitates the transmission of sound waves within the cochlea and also protects the membranous labyrinth. Perilymph can be found in the scala tympani and scala vestibuli, which are chambers located within the cochlea.
When sound enters your ear, it makes your eardrum vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the inner ear via the ossicles to the oval window creating a pressure wave in the perilymph of the cochlea. This stimulation is what ultimately excites the nerves that send signals to the brain, allowing us to hear. The endolymph helps to transmit these vibrations to the hair cells located in the organ of Corti, where the sensory nerve endings are found. These hair cells convert mechanical sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.