key term - Basilar Membrane

Definition

The basilar membrane is a structure in the inner ear that plays a crucial role in the perception of pitch. It is responsible for transmitting sound vibrations to the auditory nerve.

Related terms

Auditory Nerve:

The auditory nerve carries electrical signals from the cochlea (which houses the basilar membrane) to the brain, enabling us to process and interpret sound.

Tonotopic Organization: Tonotopic organization refers to how sounds of different frequencies are processed by specific regions or 'maps' within our auditory system.

Place Theory:

Place theory suggests that pitch perception is determined by which specific place along the basilar membrane vibrates most in response to a particular sound frequency.