FIGURE 7.

Plot shows plateau stiffness values in the radial direction determined at different locations along the cochlea. Measurements were done in artificial perilymph. One set of data (slashes) was acquired from unaltered preparations, whereas the second set of data (circles) was acquired from preparations in which the organ of Corti was removed before the measurements. This manipulation was performed to determine whether or not the stiffness of the stereocilia bundles affected the results of the radial stiffness measurements. Stiffness values were not significantly different for the two conditions.