key term - Cochlea

Definition

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear that plays a crucial role in hearing. It contains thousands of tiny hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.

Related terms

Hair Cells: These are specialized sensory cells found in the cochlea that detect sound vibrations and convert them into electrical signals.

Auditory Nerve:

This nerve carries the electrical signals generated by the hair cells in the cochlea to the brain, where they are processed and interpreted as sound.

Frequency:

Frequency refers to how fast or slow sound waves vibrate and is measured in hertz (Hz). The cochlea's hair cells are sensitive to different frequencies, allowing us to perceive different pitches of sounds.