On the Deiters cell contribution to the micromechanics of the organ of Corti.

We give the first estimate of Young's modulus of the proteinaceous beam that makes the stiffness of the Deiters cell phalangeal processes. We show that the fundamental mode of vibration of an isolated phalanx is overdamped due to the damping imposed by the surrounding fluid. Then we consider the mechanical couplings that have so far been neglected in the micromechanics of the organ of Corti. Conclusions are drawn concerning the lack of significance of some expected resonant behaviour of isolated outer hair cells.