Tonotopy in the Brain

Tonotopy refers to the organized way the brain processes different sound frequencies. In the auditory system, especially in the brain's auditory cortex, neurons are arranged so that those responding to similar pitches are neighbors. This creates a map where low-frequency sounds activate one area, and high-frequency sounds activate another, mirroring how the ear detects different pitches. This organization helps us distinguish and interpret the wide range of sounds in our environment, from speech to music, enabling precise perception and understanding of auditory signals.