Which inner ear structure is snail shell-shaped and contains the organ of Corti?

Which inner ear structure is snail shell-shaped and contains the organ of Corti?

• A. Ear Canal
• B. Auditory Nerve
• C. Lens
• D. Cochlea

Answer: (D)

Understanding hearing begins with the inner ear anatomy. The snail shell-shaped structure is the cochlea, a coiled chamber that houses the organ of Corti on the basilar membrane. The organ of Corti contains hair cells that convert mechanical vibrations from sound into electrical signals sent via the auditory nerve to the brain. The ear canal is part of the outer ear and does not contain the organ of Corti. The lens belongs to the eye, not the ear. The auditory nerve transmits signals but does not house the organ of Corti. Therefore, the snail shell-shaped inner ear structure that contains the organ of Corti is the cochlea.

Understanding hearing begins with the inner ear anatomy. The snail shell-shaped structure is the cochlea, a coiled chamber that houses the organ of Corti on the basilar membrane. The organ of Corti contains hair cells that convert mechanical vibrations from sound into electrical signals sent via the auditory nerve to the brain. The ear canal is part of the outer ear and does not contain the organ of Corti. The lens belongs to the eye, not the ear. The auditory nerve transmits signals but does not house the organ of Corti. Therefore, the snail shell-shaped inner ear structure that contains the organ of Corti is the cochlea.