Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a section through the human inner ear, showing the organ of Corti (spiral organ). At top right can be seen 4 rows of hair cells, supported by pillar like Dieter cells. Each hair cell contains up to 100 individual hairs. The hairs translate mechanical movement caused by their displacement by sound waves into electrical impulses, which are transmitted to the brain via the cochlear nerve. Magnification: x830 at 6x7cm size. x445 at 35mm, x1200 at 4x5ins.
