Our three-dimensional of the cochlea was used to simulate the response of the gerbil cochlea to a pure tone of low intensity.
Animation of traveling wave in response to a high frequency tone (20kHz).
Animation of traveling wave in response to a low frequency tone (1kHz).
The key observations are the following:
- The basilar membrane responds primarily close the stapes in response to a high frequency stimulus (maximum response at x~0.35cm for f=20kHz) and at a more apical locations in response to a low frequency stimulus (maximum response at x~0.9cm for f=1 kHz)
- The fluid pressure is one-dimensional (1D) close to the base in the longwave region
- The fluid pressure is three-dimensional (3D) close the place of maximum response
- The symmetric pressure is uniform