On which membrane is the organ of Corti located?

The organ of Corti is located on the basilar membrane, which plays a crucial role in the auditory system. The organ of Corti contains the sensory hair cells that convert sound vibrations into neural signals, which are then sent to the brain for processing. The basilar membrane is essential for its functionality, as it vibrates in response to sound waves, enabling the hair cells to transduce these vibrations into electrical signals.

The tectorial membrane is also important in the auditory process, as it sits above the organ of Corti and helps to create the movement necessary for hair cell stimulation, but it is not the membrane that directly supports the organ of Corti itself. The round and oval window membranes are involved in the transmission of sound waves within the cochlea but do not house the organ of Corti. Thus, the basilar membrane is specifically the correct location for the organ of Corti, as it provides the foundation and supports the vital functions of auditory transduction.