What structure generates BAEP Wave 2?

The structure responsible for generating BAEP Wave 2 is the proximal acoustic nerve. This wave represents neural activity that occurs shortly after the initial processing of sound in the cochlea. The proximal acoustic nerve, also known as the auditory nerve, is critical because it carries impulses from the hair cells of the cochlea to the brainstem. As sound stimuli are processed, the neural signals reach different nuclei in the auditory pathway, with Wave 2 specifically reflecting the activity associated with transmission through the acoustic nerve.

In the context of auditory processing, this wave follows Wave 1, which is generated by the cochlear structures, indicating a sequential processing of auditory information. Understanding the role of the proximal acoustic nerve offers insight into the early stages of auditory perception and the transition of acoustic information from the ear to central pathways.