How does the organ of Corti contribute to hearing?

The organ of Corti plays a crucial role in the process of hearing by transforming sound waves into neural impulses. Within the cochlea of the inner ear, the organ of Corti contains hair cells that are essential for detecting sound vibrations. When sound waves enter the cochlea, they create fluid motion that stimulates these hair cells. As the hair cells move, they generate electrical signals that are transmitted to the auditory nerve.

These electrical signals are then sent to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound. The organ of Corti does not simply filter frequencies nor does it directly transform sound waves into mechanical vibrations; instead, it is responsible for converting the mechanical energy of the vibrating fluid and the resulting movement of hair cells into the electrochemical signals that our brain interprets as sound. Therefore, its primary function is to facilitate the transformation of sound waves into the neural impulses necessary for auditory perception.