The footplate of the stapes is
A) much larger than the tympanic membrane, and the ossicles therefore amplify sound waves.
B) much smaller than the tympanic membrane, and the ossicles therefore amplify sound waves.
C) much larger than the tympanic membrane, and the ossicles therefore dampen sound waves.
D) much smaller than the tympanic membrane, and the ossicles therefore dampen sound waves.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The footplate of the stapes is much smaller than the tympanic membrane, which allows the ossicles to amplify sound waves by concentrating the energy from a larger area (tympanic membrane) to a smaller area (stapes footplate).

The Footplate of the Stapes Is