Table 2.

Approximate values for the mechanical properties of different components of the cochlea

Component of cochlea	Rupture load (mN)	Young’s modulus (MPa)	Notes	References
Basilar membrane	Apical turn: 26	Apical turn: 6.4	58 years, woman	[67]
	Middle turn: 33	Middle turn: 6.0
	Basal turn: 35	Basal turn: 9.7
Round window membrane	564	9.8	69 years, man	[67]
		Storage modulus (G′): 2.32 to 3.83 Loss modulus (G′): 0.085 to 0.925		[158]
Reissner’s membrane	4.2	34.2	58 years, man	[67]
Osseus spiral lamina	44–122	–	10 cadaveric samples; OSL, BM, RM measured together	[129]

Note values were derived from measurements of the specific tissues where possible

OSL osseus spiral lamina, BM basilar membrane, RM Reissner’s membrane