Which part of the inner ear contains the organ of Corti for hearing?

The cochlea is the correct answer because it is the specific structure within the inner ear that houses the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti is a critical component involved in the auditory process, as it contains hair cells that convert sound vibrations into nerve impulses. This conversion is essential for hearing, as these nerve impulses are transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve, allowing sound to be perceived.

To provide some context about the other options: the semicircular canals are primarily responsible for maintaining balance and detecting rotational movement rather than for hearing. The tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, transmits sound waves from the outer ear to the middle ear, but it does not play a role in the processing of sound within the inner ear. Lastly, while the auditory nerve is responsible for carrying messages from the organ of Corti to the brain, it does not contain structures involved in hearing but rather acts as a pathway for the signals generated by the cochlea.