The incus,malleus,and stapes of the middle ear
A)serve to keep the pressure on the two sides of the tympanic membrane equal.
B)are part of the vestibular apparatus.
C)are in direct contact with both the tympanic membrane and the round window.
D)serve to amplify the pressure of sound vibrations from the air in the outer ear to the fluid in the inner ear.
E)are found inside the cochlear duct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The incus, malleus, and stapes serve as a mechanical lever system that amplifies the pressure of sound vibrations from the air in the outer ear to the fluid in the inner ear. This is necessary because the fluid in the inner ear is much denser than air, which means that sound waves lose a lot of energy when they travel from the air-filled outer ear to the fluid-filled inner ear. The amplification provided by the middle ear bones helps to compensate for this loss of energy and ensures that the sound waves can still be detected by the sensory cells in the inner ear.

The Incus,malleus,and Stapes of the Middle Ear