Which auditory structure is directly measured during the ABR?

The auditory structure that is directly measured during the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is the auditory nerve. The ABR is a diagnostic test that assesses the electrical activity in the auditory nerve and the brainstem in response to sound. During this test, electrodes are placed on the scalp and earlobes, capturing the neural auditory signals that travel from the cochlea, through the auditory nerve, and along the auditory pathways to the brainstem.

This makes the auditory nerve the main focus of measurement, as it is responsible for transmitting the auditory signals generated in the cochlea to the brain. While the cochlea plays an essential role in hearing by converting sound vibrations into neural signals, it is the auditory nerve that is directly evaluated in the context of ABR testing to determine the function and integrity of the auditory pathway. Other structures, such as the oval window and Eustachian tube, are involved in the mechanics of hearing and pressure regulation but are not measured during the ABR process.