Scala tympani is the name of one of the perilymph filled cavities in the cochlear labyrinth. It is separated from the scala media by the basilar membrane, and it extends from the round window to the helicotrema, where it continues as scala vestibuli.

The purpose of the perilymph filled scala tympani and scala vestibuli is to transduce the movement of air that causes the tympanic membrane and the ossicles to vibrate, to movement of liquid which, depending of frequency, causes the basilar membrane to reach a peak amplitude at a specific site. This movement is conveyed to the organ of Corti inside the scala media, and ultimately produces nerve impulses perceived as sound.

External links

• Slide from University of Kansas
• Diagram at IUPUI

Auditory system