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) 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: x400 when printed at 15cm wide.