Dispersion Relation of Triple-chambered Cochlea

Abstract

We investigated the dispersion relations of the triple-chambered cochlea separated by the basilar membrane and the Reissner's membrane. The slow waves can propagate on the basilar membrane (basilar membrane mode), and also on the Reissner’s membrane (Reisnner’s membrane mode). Most of the previous studies have focused on the mechanics of vibration of the basilar membrane and there are only a few studies on the wave propagation on Reissner’s membrane. In this study, we focused particularly on the Reissner's membrane mode among the many propagation modes and evanescent modes that the structure supports. We analyzed the dispersion of the Reissner’s membrane mode and the basilar membrane mode, and studied their dependency on the position along the cochlea. We also studied how the distance between the Reissner's membrane and the basilar membrane affects the dispersion relations.