The inner ear
The cochlea, the sensory organ of hearing
The cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in which the sound pressure waves are transformed into electrochemical impulses.
The transformation into electrochemical impulses
The oval window, excited by the stapes (stirrup), transmits an acoustic wave to the fluids in which sit the different organs of the inner ear (in the cochlea).
The inner ear has two functions: it is responsible for sound detection and balance (not studied here).
Specialised cells, connected to the brain via nerves, are oscillated by the wave in the fluids. These cells transmit an electrical impulse to the brain with every agitation, the mechanical vibration of the oval window is therefore transformed into a nervous influx.
The cochlea therefore performs a mechanical-electrical transduction.
