Tag: pitch discrimination

The cochlea serves as the inner ear’s masterpiece, transforming sound waves into electrical signals through a process of frequency coding that varies along its length, as depicted in this image. This image illustrates how the movement of the oval window generates a standing sound wave that deflects the basilar membrane, activating hair cells at different cochlear regions based on sound frequency—high at the base and low at the apex. This article explores the anatomical and physiological mechanisms behind this frequency coding, providing a detailed insight into how the cochlea decodes the complexity of sound.