Final answer:
The outer ear, or pinna, is the visible part of the ear that collects and directs sound waves into the middle ear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The outer ear, also known as the pinna or auricle, is an external structure of the ear that includes the visible part of the ear (pinna), the ear canal, and the eardrum. Its main function is to collect and direct sound waves into the middle ear. The pinna and the ear canal play a crucial role in capturing sound and delivering it to the eardrum, where the sound vibrations are transmitted to the middle ear.