A basement membrane in the cochlea that supports the hair cells of the ORGAN OF CORTI, consisting keratin-like fibrils. It stretches from the SPIRAL LAMINA to the basilar crest. The movement of fluid in the cochlea, induced by sound, causes displacement of the basilar membrane and subsequent stimulation of the attached hair cells which transform the mechanical signal into neural activity.

DUI

D001489 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0002219

History note

91(75); was see under COCHLEA 1990; was see under LABYRINTH 1960-89

Online note

use LABYRINTH to search BASILAR MEMBRANE 1966-74

Public note

91; was see under COCHLEA 1990; was see under LABYRINTH 1960-89