The typical wave formation consists of five to six waves (I to VI) that match to anatomic structures of the auditory pathway with corresponding latency:
Wave I = distal parts of the cochlear nerve
Wave II = proximal part of the cochlear nerve
Wave III = cochlear nucleus
Wave IV = neurons of the area of the superior olive
Wave V = inferior colliculus (in the middle brain) – according to some authors lateral lemniscus
Wave VI = medial geniculate nucleus – according to some authors inferior colliculus