Inner ear hair cells. Computer-enhanced confocal light micrograph of V-shaped rows of hair cells (bright arcs) in the organ of Corti. This structure lies in the cochlea of the inner ear, and converts sound vibrations into nerve impulses. The hairs (stereocilia) are embedded in the basilar membrane. When sound waves arrive at this membrane from the middle ear, they cause it to vibrate. This pushes the hair cells against the overlying tectorial membrane (not seen). This triggers nerve impulses, which travel to the brain through the auditory nerve. Magnification unknown.