Which structure in the cochlea contains hair cells that are stimulated by vibrations?

The Organ of Corti is the structure within the cochlea that contains hair cells responsible for detecting sound vibrations. Located on the basilar membrane, the Organ of Corti plays a crucial role in the auditory process. When sound waves enter the cochlea, they create fluid movements that cause the basilar membrane to move. This movement stimulates the hair cells located in the Organ of Corti, converting the mechanical energy of sound into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

Additionally, the hair cells in the Organ of Corti are essential for the perception of sound frequencies, as different regions of the structure respond to different frequencies due to the varying stiffness along the length of the basilar membrane. The Organ of Corti is thus central to hearing, differentiating it clearly from the other structures mentioned, which have different roles in the cochlear function and structure.