Cone of light Cone of light The cone of light, or light reflex, is a visible phenomenon which occurs upon examination of the tympanic membrane with an otoscope. Shining light on the tympanic membrane causes a cone-shaped reflection of light to appear in the anterior inferior quadrant. This corresponds to the 4 o'clock to 5 o'clock position in the right eardrum and the 7 o'clock to 8 o'clock position in the left eardrum. The apex of the cone is at the most depressed part of the tympanic membrane, known as the umbo. The absence of a cone of light does not necessarily signify
Tympanic duct attached to the basilar membrane and their stereocilia embedded in the tectorial membrane. The movement of the basilar membrane compared to the tectorial membrane causes the stereocilia to bend. They then depolarise and send impulses to the brain via the cochlear nerve. This produces the sensation of sound. Tympanic duct The tympanic duct or scala tympani is one of the perilymph-filled cavities in the inner ear of the human. It is separated from the cochlear duct by the basilar membrane, and it extends from the round window to the helicotrema, where it continues as vestibular duct. The purpose of the