Final answer:
The axons of the auditory nerve transport information to the cochlear nuclei of the brainstem. This part of the auditory pathway involves the vestibulocochlear nerve and processes signals for frequency and sound location. Eventually, auditory data reaches the primary auditory cortex via the spiral ganglion and brainstem nuclei.
Step-by-step explanation:
The axons of the auditory nerve carry information from the ear directly to the cochlear nuclei of the brainstem. The sensory pathway for audition involves the vestibulocochlear nerve, which connects to neurons in the cochlear nuclei located in the superior medulla. From the cochlear nuclei within the brain stem, auditory input is processed to extract sound location information by comparing stimuli received at both ears.
Additionally, the auditory pathway involves structures that further process the frequency information received at the cochlea. For instance, the inner hair cells are crucial for conveying auditory information to the brain, and it is through the axons of the spiral ganglion that auditory signals are transmitted. These signals eventually reach the primary auditory cortex in the temporal lobe for higher processing, passing through the inferior colliculus in the midbrain along the way.