Final answer:
The ossicles are located in the middle ear and consist of the malleus, incus, and stapes, which are responsible for transmitting sound vibrations to the cochlea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ossicles are a set of three small bones located in the middle ear. These bones, known as the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup), are the smallest bones in the body and their main function is to transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. They are unique to mammals and play a crucial role in the process of hearing.