Hearing and Primary Auditory Centres of the Whales

Abstract

Neurophysiological investigations performed during the later years have thrown light upon the exceptional auditory abilities of the whales. This report shortly recapitulates earlier findings and outlines the general structure, the microscopic appearance and the number of cells in the cochlear nuclei of some whale species. The number of cells are compared to the number of fibres in the VIIIth nerve. Also these anatomic features indicate a highly specialized auditory system.