Final answer:
The middle ear contains only three tiny bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes, making the statement that there are four bones in the middle ear false.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the middle ear has four bones is false. The middle ear contains three tiny bones called the auditory ossicles, which are essential for hearing. These bones include the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). Each of these auditory ossicles plays a crucial role in transmitting sound waves from the air as vibrations into the fluid-filled cochlea of the inner ear. The bones are the smallest in the human body and are unique to mammals. The middle ear is an integral part of the auditory system, as outlined in diagrams like FIGURE 11.7.6, which show the structure of the outer, middle, and inner ear.