Mechanical analysis of interaction between tectorial membrane and inner hair cell stereocilia

Objective To investigate the interaction between tectorial membrane and inner hair cell stereocilia in the condition of vibration of the organ of Corti. Methods Two 2D finite-element models were built based on the electron microscopic images of the organ of Corti from the guinea pig with two models of coupled and non-coupled between the tectorial membrane and stereocilia. ANSYS software was used to analyze the two models. Results When Couette flow was loaded,the stereocilia had a larger angular displacement in non-coupled manner,Von Mises stress were higher on tip link and rootlet,and the characteristics of natural frequency were quite similar on two models. Conclusions The stereocilium is excited easily when it does not contact the tectorial membrane.