What part of the ear is responsible for detecting pitch and intensity of sounds?

The cochlea is the part of the ear responsible for detecting pitch and intensity of sounds. It is a spiral-shaped structure within the inner ear that contains specialized sensory cells known as hair cells. These cells transduce sound vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain for interpretation.

When sound waves enter the cochlea, they create fluid waves in the cochlear fluid, leading to the bending of hair cells at different locations along the cochlea. The location where the hair cells are stimulated corresponds to specific frequencies, allowing the brain to perceive different pitches. The intensity of sound is detected by the number of hair cells activated and the frequency of their stimulation, which helps convey how loud a sound is to the listener.

In contrast, the auditory canal serves as a passageway for sound waves to travel to the eardrum, while the ossicles are a series of tiny bones that amplify sound vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea. The vestibule plays a role in balance and spatial orientation rather than in the detection of sound. Thus, the cochlea is specifically designed for the critical functions of pitch and intensity detection in hearing.