Short answer: Describe/discuss how acoustic information is transmitted from the pinna (outer ear) to the primary auditory cortex (cerebral cortex).

1

Sound is collected by the pinna

2

The ear canal resonates and amplifies the sound and funnels to the tympanic membrane

3

The tympanic membrane vibrates resulting in movement of the ossicles

4

The ossicles act as impedance matchers from the air-filled middle ear to the fluid-filled inner ear

5

The stapes footplate pushes on the oval window compressing the fluids of the cochlea

6

This causes a traveling wave to form along the Basilar membrane

7

When the traveling wave reaches maximum amplitude the hair cells are excited

8

The signal is conveyed to the auditory nerve

9

The signal travels via the cochlear nuclei to SOC to IC to MGB to the primary and auditory cortex

10

Signal processing occurs along heschl’s gyrus and is transmitted to Wernicke’s area