Auditory System

Abstract

This chapter reviews the structure of the human auditory system and considers how its structural organization reflects its function. Although much understanding of the structure and function of the auditory system is based on the large body of work done in nonprimate mammals, this chapter emphasizes the specific organization of the human auditory system and cites, wherever possible, studies done in other species of primates. Though emphasis is on neural mechanisms of information transfer, description of the auditory system is provided in context of the external, middle, and inner ear. The chapter also focuses on the process of information transfer through progressively higher levels of the auditory system, beginning with the passage of mechanical impulses through the middle and inner ear, and continuing with the subsequent cellular and neural processes occurring at cochlear, brain stem, and forebrain levels. An overview of the anatomy and dimensions of the human auditory system is provided. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.