The pathway of sound from the auricle to the auditory cortex

Step one

Start with sound waves

Step 2

The auricle funnels the sound waves into the external acoustic meatus

Step 3

The external acoustic meatus then sends the soundwaves to the tympanic membrane (ear drum)

Step 4

Once the sound waves hit the tympanic membrane, they then cause the auditory ossicles to move. First is the malleus, then incus, and finally stapes

Step 5

The stapes then pushes on the oval window

Step 6

The oval window moves the Perilymph through the scala vestibuli, which stimulates the cochlear duct

Step 7

Then, the Perilymph moves through the scala tympani and hits the basilar membrane

Step 8

The basilar membrane moves hair cells against the tectorial membrane

Step 9

The stimulation of the tectorial membrane sends signals down the cochlear division of the vestibular cochlear nerve

Step 10

That signal is then sent to the cochlear nuclei of the medulla oblongata

Step 11

Then the signal is sent to the inferior colliculus, then medial geniculate body, and finally to the acoustic division of the temporal bone