Anatom3DOrgan of Corti
Organum spirale · Cortiho orgán
Sense organs
Looks like
The hearing organ proper: a ribbon of about 3 500 inner and 12 000 outer hair cells on the basilar membrane, running the length of the cochlea's spiral.
What it does
Turns sound vibrations into nerve signals: high pitches at the base, low ones at the apex; the outer hair cells amplify quiet sounds.
Keeping it well
Its hair cells do not grow back: loud noise, age and some drugs (aminoglycosides, cisplatin) destroy them for good. Hearing protection is the only defence; cochlear implants bypass them.