Final answer:
The correct order of the chain of small bones in the middle ear is Malleus > Incus > Stapes (Option D).
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order of the chain of small bones in the middle ear, responsible for transmitting sound vibrations, is Malleus > Incus > Stapes (Option D).
The auditory ossicles of the middle ear consist of three bones: the malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). These bones work together to transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the fluid-filled cochlea, where sound is converted into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.