The inner ear maps different sound frequencies to specific physical locations
The inner ear uses a physical map called tonotopy to translate different sound frequencies into specific neural signals based on their location in the cochlea.
The cochlea is a 35mm coiled tube where the basilar membrane acts as a biological frequency analyzer. High-frequency sounds of 20,000 Hz vibrate the narrow, stiff base of the membrane, while low-frequency sounds of 20 Hz travel all the way to the wide, flexible apex.
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