Light micrograph of a section through the fluid-filled canal of the cochlea of the inner ear showing the organ of Corti (pink, right). Noise vibrations in the fluid in the canal (white, top) cause vibrations in the vestibular membrane (thin line at top left). These in turn create vibrations in the organ of Corti. The tectorial membrane (very light blue, upper centre) vibrates and stimulates the sensitive hair cells on the basal membrane (blue, left), which translate the vibrations to electrical signals that are sent to the brain via spiral ganglion (red, left). Magnification: x300 when printed at 15cm wide.