Cochlea

The cochlea is a coiled, tapered tube inside the inner ear, responsible for transmitting sound to the auditory nerve. The stapes transmits vibrations to the fenestra ovalis on the outside of the cochlea, which vibrates perilymph fluid inside the cochlea, which in turn vibrates the basilar membrane. When the basilar membrane moves, it stimulates hair cells in the organ of Corti, which are connected to the auditory nerve; the auditory nerve transmits sound data to the brain.

See also: Cochlear implant