Periodicity Analysis in the Guinea Pig Cochlea

Abstract

In guinea pigs cochlear microphonic responses were studied during stimulation with harmonic high tone complexes. In the apical portion of the cochlea a sine wave with the frequency of the “missing fundamental” could be recorded. The amplitude of this low frequency microphonic potential (CM) in the third turn of the cochlea appears to be about equal to the amplitude of the strongest component of the high tone complex recorded in the basal turn. The “missing fundamental” appears to stimulate the apical portion of the cochlea, which indicates cochlear analysis according to a certain place principle, although apparently not the Fourier principle.