Hardesty151 considers the tectorial membrane as the vibrating mechanism in the cochlea.    From Wordnik.com.  [X. The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument. 1d. 4. The Internal Ear or Labyrinth] Reference

PC, pillar cells; SM, scala media; ST, scala tympani; SV, scala vestibuli; TM, tectorial membrane.    From Wordnik.com.  [PLoS ONE Alerts: New Articles] Reference

The free ends of the outer hair cells occupy a series of apertures in a net-like membrane, the reticular membrane, and the entire organ is covered by the tectorial membrane.    From Wordnik.com.  [X. The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument. 1d. 4. The Internal Ear or Labyrinth] Reference

Such sensitivity and precision, seen also among other mammals, derives from a complex interaction of cochlear hair cells and the tectorial membrane (TM) within the organ of Corti.    From Wordnik.com.  [PLoS ONE Alerts: New Articles] Reference

Covering the sulcus spiralis internus and the spiral organ of Corti is the tectorial membrane, which is attached to the limbus laminæ spiralis close to the inner edge of the vestibular membrane.    From Wordnik.com.  [X. The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument. 1d. 4. The Internal Ear or Labyrinth] Reference

GER, greater epithelial ridge; IHC, inner hair cells; LER, lesser epithelial ridge; OHC, outer hair cells; PC, pillar cells; AG, auditory ganglion; SM, scale media; ST, scala tympani; SV, scala vestibuli; TM, tectorial membrane.    From Wordnik.com.  [PLoS ONE Alerts: New Articles] Reference

IHC, inner hair cells; IPC, inner phalangeal cells; IS, inner sulcus; Li, spiral limbus; MC, marginal cells; OHC, outer hair cells; PC, pillar cells; RM, Reisner's membrane; AG, auditory ganglion; SL, spiral ligament; SM, scala media; ST, scala tympani; SV, scala vestibuli; TM, tectorial membrane. doi: 10.1371/journal. pone.0008699.g008.    From Wordnik.com.  [PLoS ONE Alerts: New Articles] Reference