The inner ear includes which of the following components?

The inner ear is crucial for hearing and balance and is composed of several specialized structures. The cochlea is the spiral-shaped organ responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals. It plays a vital role in the auditory system.

In addition to the cochlea, the inner ear contains the semicircular canals and two other structures known as the utricle and saccule. The semicircular canals are essential for maintaining balance and are oriented in three different planes to detect rotational movements of the head. The utricle and saccule are involved in the detection of linear accelerations and head position relative to gravity.

Therefore, the correct answer encompasses all these components: the cochlea, semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule, which all play integral roles in hearing and balance within the inner ear. This comprehensive selection highlights the complexity and functionality of the inner ear in sensory processing.