Lexicon: Cochlea

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure located in the inner ear that is responsible for translating sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can interpret as sound. Sound enters the cochlea through the vibrations of the middle ear bones, causing the fluid inside the cochlea to move. This movement stimulates tiny hair cells within the cochlea, which convert the mechanical energy of sound into electrical impulses. These electrical signals are then transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve.