Final answer:
The auditory ossicles are named the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup), and they are critical for transferring sound vibrations from the outer to the inner ear.
Step-by-step explanation:
The names of the auditory ossicles, which are the three small bones in the middle ear, are the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). These bones play a critical role in hearing by transferring sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, to the cochlea in the inner ear. More commonly, these bones are collectively referred to as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup due to their resemblance to these objects. They are the smallest bones in the body and unique to mammals, helping to amplify and transfer sound. The cochlea is not one of the auditory ossicles; rather, it is part of the inner ear where sound vibrations are translated into nerve impulses.