Which part of the inner ear sends auditory signals to the brain?

The auditory signals are transmitted to the brain primarily through the auditory nerve. The auditory nerve, also known as the cochlear nerve, is responsible for carrying the electrical impulses generated in the cochlea—where sound waves are converted into nerve signals—directly to the brain for interpretation.

While the cochlea plays a crucial role in the initial stages of hearing by converting sound vibrations into nerve impulses, it is the auditory nerve that is responsible for transmitting these impulses to the brain's auditory cortex. The Eustachian tube helps in equalizing pressure in the middle ear, and the eardrum serves as a barrier that vibrates in response to sound waves, but neither of these structures is involved in sending auditory signals to the brain. Therefore, the correct identification of the auditory nerve as the structure that sends these signals is essential for understanding how our auditory system functions.