Final answer:
The 'cochlea' is a fluid-filled part of the inner ear critical for hearing. It transmits sound vibrations to the brain by converting them into nerve impulses. The cochlea's hair cells play a key role in this process of sound transduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'cochlea' refers to a part of the inner ear responsible for hearing. This snail-shaped, coiled structure contains fluid that moves in response to sound vibrations. As the stapes moves against the oval window, it creates pressure waves in the cochlear fluid. These waves bend the hair cells located in the organ of Corti, creating nerve impulses that are transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve, enabling us to hear.
The inner ear is often called a bony labyrinth, containing the cochlea dedicated to hearing and the vestibule for balance. These regions send neural signals through the vestibulocochlear nerve to the brain stem. The death of hair cells in the cochlea can cause hearing loss, highlighting their crucial role in the hearing process.