Auditory System Summary

Sound waves propagate through the ear canal and excite the eardrum.

The stapes, the inner most ossicle of the ear, vibrates against the oval window and causes pressure variations in the cochlea, which in turn excite mechanical vibrations in the basilar membrane.

The vibrations of the basilar membrane cause the stereocilia of the organ of corti to transmit electrical impulses to the brain via the auditory nerve.

Each auditory nerve fiber responds over a certain range of frequencies (and sound pressures) but has a characteristic frequency at which it is most sensitive.

See video summary here.