Final answer:
The primary auditory cortex is organized tonotopically, starting from the apex of the cochlea and then outwards to the base and higher-frequency sounds. The cortex is then further separated into core, belt association area, and parabelt association area. The core has the most precise tonotopic map. Higher-frequency stimuli are processed by the outer hair cells and Basilar membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary auditory cortex is organized tonotopically, with Area 22 being the primary auditory cortex followed by area 23 for further processing. It starts at the cochlea's apex, extending outwards to the base for higher-frequency sounds, and is further divided into core, belt, and parabelt areas, with the core having a precise tonotopic map.
These areas suggest some specialization within the cortex for functional processing, as described by Brodmann's areas. For instance, Area 22 is the primary auditory cortex, followed by area 23, which further processes auditory information.
Auditory processing then continues to a nucleus in the midbrain called the inferior colliculus, subsequently projecting to the thalamus, and finally to the auditory cortex in the temporal lobe.