The middle ear transformer mechanism: man versus mouse.
The anatomy and physiology of the middle ear transformer mechanism in man and a species of rodent, desmodillus auricularis, are compared. This rodent's middle ear mechanism has a transformer ratio of 147:1 as compared to 18,3:1 in man--some 8 times greater. The reasons for this difference are given and possible applications to middle ear surgery are suggested.
D000818:Animals; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006309:Hearing; D006801:Humans; D007188:Incus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008307:Malleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology