Final answer:
The correct answer is option d. The three small bones in the middle ear are known as the ossicles, which consist of the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup).
Step-by-step explanation:
The three small bones found in the middle ear are collectively known as the ossicles. These bones are the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). They play a crucial role in hearing by transferring sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to the cochlea, which is a fluid-filled structure in the inner ear where these vibrations are converted into neural signals that can be interpreted by the brain.
The answer to the student's question is (D) Ossicles.