Final answer:
The ossicles are three tiny bones in the middle ear named the malleus, incus, and stapes, transmitting sound from the tympanic membrane to the cochlea.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ossicles of the middle ear are small bones that are crucial for hearing. They transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the fluid-filled cochlea in the inner ear. The order of these bones, starting from the one closest to the tympanic membrane and moving inward towards the cochlea, is:
- Malleus (also known as the hammer)
- Incus (also known as the anvil)
- Stapes (also known as the stirrup)
These ossicles act as a mechanical lever system, amplifying the sound waves before they are transmitted into the cochlea for auditory processing. The malleus first receives the vibrations from the tympanic membrane, then transfers them to the incus, which then passes them to the stapes. The stapes finally pushes the sound waves into the cochlea, facilitating the transition from air-based to fluid-based vibrations.