Olivocochlear system
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The olivocochlear system is part of the auditory system and represents a method of descending control, primarily of lateral inhibition. The teleology is thought to involve maintenance of the cochlear in its optimal mechanical state.
Proposed mechanisms for modulating cochlear output involve alteration of the stereocilia. The olivocochlear efferents may actively displace stereocilia or change their stiffness.
This system is split into medial and lateral systems. The lateral system has its cell bodies in or around the lateral superior olive (depending on the species) and the medial system has its cell bodies in the preovilary region of the lateral superior olive.
The lateral system terminates on the dendrites of the auditory nerve fibres whereas the medial system directly contacts the outer hair cells. The brain is therefore able to influence the output of both sets of receptor cells.
The role of the lateral olivocochlear efferent system is unclear. There are three main hypotheses concerning the role of the medial olivocochlear efferent system: protection from loud sounds which cause a temporary threshold shift, improving detection of sounds in noise, and controlling cochlear mechanics.
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