Where is the organ of Corti located in the human body?

The organ of Corti is located in the inner ear, specifically within the cochlea. This structure is essential for the sense of hearing as it contains sensory hair cells that convert sound vibrations into neural signals, which the brain then interprets as sound. The inner ear is responsible for both hearing and balance, and the organ of Corti plays a critical role in the auditory pathway by facilitating the detection of sound frequencies.

In contrast, the outer ear is primarily responsible for collecting sound waves and directing them towards the middle ear, while the middle ear contains structures that function to amplify sound vibrations before they reach the inner ear. The auditory canal, also part of the outer ear, serves as a conduit for sound waves to travel to the eardrum. Thus, recognizing that the organ of Corti is situated in the inner ear emphasizes its importance in the complex process of hearing.