Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped cavity in the inner ear that contains the organ of Corti, the sensory organ for hearing. It is part of the bony labyrinth, which also includes the vestibule and semicircular canals. Within the cochlea, the membranous labyrinth contains the cochlear duct, filled with endolymph fluid. Sound vibrations travel through the ear and cause waves in the cochlear fluid, stimulating the hair cells within the organ of Corti. These hair cells convert the mechanical vibrations into nerve impulses, which are then transmitted to the brain via the cochlear nerve, allowing us to perceive sound.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.