Final answer:
The term 'pertaining to the ear' is 'otic,' which is related to structures that are involved in the process of hearing, such as the auricle and the ossicles.
Step-by-step explanation:
A term that means 'pertaining to the ear' is otic. This refers to the ear or hearing, which is the transduction of sound waves into a neural signal facilitated by structures of the ear, such as the auricle, the ossicles, and the cochlea. The auricle is the large, fleshy external structure of the ear, which helps direct sound waves into the auditory canal. The ossicles consist of the malleus, incus, and stapes, which work together to amplify and transfer sound between the tympanic membrane of the external ear and the oval window of the inner ear. Hearing involves the basilar membrane and the organ of Corti, where hair cells transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical signals that are sent to the brain.