[Crista ampullaris mechanics and possibilities of regulation of the semi-circular canal].
A software using a finite element method is used to study the deformation of a bidimensional model of the human cupular diaphragm and the distribution of angular shearing of the hairs of the sensory cells located on the crista ampularis. This study shows that the hairs on the top of the crista are more sensitive to the pressure difference across the cupula due to angular acceleration of the head and those located on the sides of the crista are sensitive to the variation of the inflation pressure of the ampulla. This spatial discrimination of sensibility of the hair cells to the two types of mechanical solicitations leads us to consider the SCC as regulated sensor.
Njeugna
E
E
Université Louis Pasteur, ENSPS & IMFS-URA CNRS 854, Strasbourg.
Kopp
C M
CM
Eichhorn
J L
JL
Taleb
L
L
Gentine
A
A
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D018069:Hair Cells, Vestibular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000502:physiology*; D012984:Software