What are the fluids found in the cochlea responsible for sound transmission?

The fluids found in the cochlea that are responsible for sound transmission are endolymph and perilymph. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear that is essential for hearing. It contains two main types of fluid: endolymph, which fills the cochlear duct (scala media), and perilymph, which fills the spaces surrounding it (scala vestibuli and scala tympani).

Endolymph is an ionic fluid that is rich in potassium and plays a critical role in the transduction of sound waves into electrical signals. It creates a unique electrochemical environment that is crucial for the function of hair cells, which are the sensory receptors for hearing. When sound waves cause the fluid to move, it leads to the bending of hair cell stereocilia and the subsequent generation of nerve impulses that are sent to the brain.

Perilymph, on the other hand, is similar in composition to extracellular fluid and surrounds the cochlear duct. It serves as a hydraulic medium that transmits sound waves from the stapes (the ossicle in the middle ear) to the inner structures of the cochlea.

Together, these two types of fluid work in concert to facilitate sound transmission and the conversion of acoustic signals into neural signals that