Auditory science tutorial. III: The role of the ascending pathways.
This paper attempts a thumbnail sketch of what is currently known about processing in the early parts of the auditory pathway. The paper briefly reviews the morphology and physiology of the auditory nuclei up to the inferior colliculi of the midbrain and discusses their function in processing sound information. Particular attention is paid to the role of these nuclei in sound localization and in analysing complex signals such as speech. One aim of the tutorial is to dispel any ideas that the peripheral auditory pathways are mere relays to the thalamus and cortex and to emphasize their fundamentally important role in auditory processing. The review is not comprehensive (indeed it can only touch upon some aspects of auditory processing) but key references are provided for those with more than just a passing interest.
D000818:Animals; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D013017:Sound Localization / Q000502:physiology; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology