Final answer:
The secondary auditory area is an association area in the cortex that processes complex auditory information, building upon the work of the primary auditory cortex. It is vital for the comprehension of speech and other sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The secondary auditory area in the cortex is an association area that is closely connected to Area 22, the primary auditory cortex. This area is responsible for further processing auditory information received from the primary auditory cortex. This process is essential for generating more complex sensory perceptions related to audition, the sense of hearing. The basilar membrane and structures such as the auricle play a role in capturing sound and transmitting it to the cochlea and auditory nerve, but it is within the temporal lobe, particularly areas 22 and 23 as defined by Brodmann, where auditory processing is refined.
The secondary auditory area contributes to a variety of auditory functions including the comprehension of speech and music. It is adjacent to Wernicke's area, which is essential for speech comprehension, and works in conjunction with pathways that involve multiple areas of the brain, such as the inferior colliculus and the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus, that relay information from the ears to the auditory cortex. This elaborate processing network ensures that sounds are not only heard but also understood and appropriately responded to.