Final answer:
The section of the ear from the tympanic membrane to the oval window is the middle ear, containing the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) which transfer sound vibrations to the inner ear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The section of the ear that runs from the tympanic membrane (ear drum) to the oval window of the cochlea is the middle ear. This area contains three tiny bones known as the ossicles: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). These bones play a crucial role in hearing by transmitting the sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the oval window, which is the entrance to the fluid-filled inner ear and its cochlea. The middle ear functions as an amplifier of these vibrations and also includes muscles that help protect the inner ear from intense sounds.