Final answer:
The cochlea is part of the inner ear, a complex structure crucial for hearing and balance, containing fluid-filled canals and sensory cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cochlea is located within the inner ear. The inner ear is a complex part of the auditory system that contains structures responsible for both hearing and equilibrium. Within the inner ear, the cochlea is a fluid-filled, snail-shaped structure.
It contains the sensory receptor cells that help transform sound waves into electrical signals that the brain can understand. The organ of Corti, which resides inside the cochlea, is the actual site of sensory transduction, converting the mechanical movement from sound into nerve impulses.