In: Psychology
How does the anatomy of hearing allow for us to hear pitch? In particular, what is it about this anatomy that relates to pitch?
How does the anatomy of hearing allow for us to hear pitch? In particular, what is it about this anatomy that relates to pitch?
There are specialised cells present in the inner ear that allow us to discern pitch. The detection of pitch would occur in the cochlea. The cochlea is a specialised structure that is a small structure which is of a spiral shape. The cochlea contains hair cells, specialised cells, that would be tuned to the different pitches. Depending on the location of the cells, their pitch detection ability would differ. This would also depend on the number of the cells along with the length of the stereocilia. Stereocilia are microscopic protrusions which are hair like.
High pitched sounds would be detected by the cells that are shorter and in bundles and these are located closest to the portion where the sound would enter the ear. Lower pitched sounds would be detected by the cells that are taller and arranged in bundles. These are located towards the inner side of the earl this pattern continues with the hair cells that form the basis of hearing. This does not imply that while hearing sounds every hair cell would be involved, rather specific cells specific to particular sound frequencies would respond.