01 / Location & anatomical relationships
Deep inside the skull, in the inner ear.
02 / Structure & organization
The cochlea contains fluid-filled compartments and the sensory organ of Corti on the basilar membrane. Hair-cell deflection changes electrical signaling, which influences auditory nerve activity. Different positions respond preferentially to different frequencies.
03 / Function
It changes sound vibrations into signals that travel to your brain.
04 / Mechanism
Vibrations move fluid inside the spiral-shaped cochlea. Movement bends tiny structures on sensory hair cells, triggering signals in the hearing nerve. Different parts of the cochlea respond best to different sound frequencies.
Part of a bigger picture
The cochlea belongs in our brain & senses collection. Explore the nearby parts to see how this area of the body fits together.
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Connect structure with function
The stiff basal region responds especially to higher frequencies, while more apical regions respond to lower frequencies. Hearing depends on this mechanical and neural organization.
Check your understanding
Locate the cochlea in relation to its neighbors. Explain how the structural features described above support its function, then distinguish it from a nearby structure with a different role.
Keep learning
Continue with OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology for system-level study. This atlas is educational and has not undergone independent medical peer review.