Question

The endolymph of the inner ear is produced by the stria vascularis. What is the function of the stria vascularis?

1) To produce endolymph
2) To transmit sound waves
3) To maintain balance
4) To protect the inner ear

Answer 1

The stria vascularis is responsible for producing endolymph in the inner ear, which is vital for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.

Step-by-step explanation:

The function of the stria vascularis is to produce endolymph, which is the potassium-rich fluid within the inner ear that plays a crucial role in the transduction of sound waves into neural signals and helps maintain the ionic composition of the endolymphatic space. This fluid is essential for the proper functioning of the hair cells within the cochlea, which ultimately convert vibrations into electrical impulses that can be interpreted by the brain as sound.

The process begins when sound waves enter the ear and cause the tympanum to vibrate. These vibrations are then passed through the three small bones of the middle ear, eventually reaching the oval window, which is the boundary of the inner ear. The stapes transmits these vibrations to the endolymph in the cochlea, where they are detected by hair cells and transformed into electrical signals that travel along the auditory nerve to the brain.

Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is: 1) To produce endolymph.