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SUMMARY:Evolution of the Middle Ear - Dr Matthew Mason\, Department of Phy
 siology
DTSTART:20061024T190000Z
DTEND:20061024T200000Z
UID:TALK5694@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:4259
DESCRIPTION:Our middle ear apparatus helps to transmit sound vibrations in
  air through to the fluid-filled cochlea. It begins with the eardrum\, to 
 which is connected three tiny bones or ossicles\, the malleus\, incus and 
 stapes (hammer\, anvil and stirrup). These are the smallest and most delic
 ate bones in the human body\, which you would expect given their function 
 in transmitting sound vibrations. However\, one particular golden mole fro
 m Southern Africa\, if it were the size of a man\, would have a malleus th
 e size of your fist\, made of solid bone\, in each of its ears! Why would 
 it have such monstrous mallei? In this lecture\, I shall explore the stran
 ge adaptations of the middle ear apparatus in subterranean mammals\, and e
 xplain how\, from a  onsideration of these structures\, we can get informa
 tion about an animal's hearing. To what extent does the evolution of the m
 iddle ear reflect the  ecology of the animal?
LOCATION:Pharmacology Lecture Theatre\, Tennis Court Road
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