Ear and audiology: tonotopic organisation: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Ear and audiology: tonotopic organisation

Sample item

According to the travelling wave theory, where on the basilar membrane is the maximum displacement for high-frequency sounds?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Near the base of the cochlea

The basilar membrane is narrow and stiff at the base and wide and flexible at the apex. High frequencies therefore peak near the base and low frequencies near the apex. This explains why basal hair cell damage from noise, ototoxins or ageing causes high-frequency loss first.

Option by option

  • A. Near the base of the cochlea (correct)

    Correct. High tones peak at the stiff, narrow base.

  • B. At the helicotrema only

    The helicotrema is the apical opening, not a high-frequency site.

  • C. At the apex of the cochlea

    Low tones peak at the apex.

  • D. At the middle turn

    The middle turn handles mid frequencies.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Near the base of the cochlea. The basilar membrane is narrow and stiff at the base and wide and flexible at the apex.

Why is "At the helicotrema only" not the answer?

The helicotrema is the apical opening, not a high-frequency site.

Why is "At the apex of the cochlea" not the answer?

Low tones peak at the apex.

Why is "At the middle turn" not the answer?

The middle turn handles mid frequencies.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Ear and audiology: tonotopic organisation in ENT. High frequencies therefore peak near the base and low frequencies near the apex. This explains why basal hair cell damage from noise, ototoxins or ageing causes high-frequency loss first.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Ear and audiology: tonotopic organisation?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.