Which structure transmits vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear?

Which structure transmits vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear?

• A. Cochlea
• B. Ossicles
• C. Semicircular canals
• D. External auditory canal

Answer: (B)

Vibration from the eardrum passes through a tiny chain of bones in the middle ear called the ossicles—the malleus, incus, and stapes. This lever system transfers the movement of the tympanic membrane to the oval window of the cochlea in the inner ear, converting mechanical energy into fluid motion and amplifying the signal as it enters the inner ear. The cochlea is where this energy is ultimately converted into neural signals, while the semicircular canals relate to balance and the external auditory canal simply carries sound to the eardrum.

Vibration from the eardrum passes through a tiny chain of bones in the middle ear called the ossicles—the malleus, incus, and stapes. This lever system transfers the movement of the tympanic membrane to the oval window of the cochlea in the inner ear, converting mechanical energy into fluid motion and amplifying the signal as it enters the inner ear. The cochlea is where this energy is ultimately converted into neural signals, while the semicircular canals relate to balance and the external auditory canal simply carries sound to the eardrum.