title: Middle ear structure in the chinchilla: a quantitative study.
abstract: The anatomic features of the chinchilla middle ear were identified and various aspects of the conductive apparatus were measured in a number of specimens by different methods. These aspects included area measures of the tympanic membrane, stapes footplate, oval window, and round window; middle-ear volume; dimensions of the ossicles, the length of their rotational axes as well as the malleus to incus lever ratio. We also weighed the ossicles. The findings are discussed with reference to their possible significance for auditory signal processing in the chinchilla.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Human Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vrettakos
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Dear
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002682:Chinchilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D007596:Joints / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009929:Organ Size; D010046:Oval Window, Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012405:Round Window, Ear / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology