Question

What are the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear?

1) Malleus, incus, and stapes
2) Tympanic membrane, cochlea, and eustachian tube
3) Cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals
4) Tympanic membrane, malleus, and cochlea

Answer 1

The three auditory ossicles of the middle ear are the malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). Option 1) Malleus, incus, and stapes is the correct answer, representing the bones responsible for transmitting sound to the cochlea.

Step-by-step explanation:

The three auditory ossicles of the middle ear are crucial for transmitting sound from the air to the fluid-filled cochlea. The correct answer to the naming of these bones is as follows: The malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). The malleus attaches to the tympanic membrane, the incus connects the malleus to the stapes, and the stapes transmits the vibrations into the cochlea.

Their main function is to amplify and transfer these vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear where they can be translated into nerve impulses by the cochlea. These bones are the smallest in the human body and are uniquely found in mammals. Their relevance extends beyond mere vibration transmission; they are a byproduct of evolutionary adaptations from bones that supported gills in ancestral fish.

So, to answer the multiple-choice question, the three auditory ossicles of the middle ear are:

1. Malleus (hammer)
2. Incus (anvil)
3. Stapes (stirrup)

Which corresponds to option 1) Malleus, incus, and stapes.