Question

Which part of the ear determines the pitch of a sound?

Answer 1

The basilar membrane along with hair cells of cochlea  

Explanation:  

• When high frequency sound waves enter the ear it vibrates the basilar membrane which is near the start of the ear. As a result, we are able to detect the pitch of the sound.
• But in case of low frequency waves the case is different. These sound waves travel along the membrane before causing vibration.
• The basic pitch determining mechanism depends upon the point along the membrane where the hairs cells become excited.

Answer 2

In the ear, the determination of pitch sound is done by Cochlea.  

Explanation:

• The ear is divided into three regions namely the "external ear, middle ear, and the inner ear".

• The inner is a fluid-filled chamber that consists of a complex system of canals and cavities.

• It is consists of the cochlea with is associated with hearing and vestibular apparatus which is associated with balance.

• The canals and the organ of cortii present in the cochlea are involved in determining the pitch of a sound.