Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What is the name of the spiral, conical structure of the inner ear?

1. Cochlea

2. Stapes

3. Vestibule

4. Labyrinth

The correct answer is: Cochlea

The cochlea is the correct term for the spiral, conical structure of the inner ear. It plays a critical role in the process of hearing, as it transforms sound vibrations into neural signals that are interpreted by the brain. The cochlea is fluid-filled and contains specialized sensory cells called hair cells; these are essential for converting mechanical sound waves into electrical impulses. This structure's unique shape enhances the ability to detect different frequencies of sound, contributing significantly to our auditory perception. The stapes, another structure in the ear, is one of the small bones in the middle ear and is involved in transmitting sound vibrations but does not have the spiral shape characteristic of the cochlea. The vestibule is part of the inner ear that helps with balance, and while the labyrinth refers to the complex system of the inner ear that includes both the cochlea and vestibular structures, it does not specifically describe the spiral, conical shape. Thus, the cochlea is distinct in its anatomy and function as the spiral structure responsible for hearing.