The primary purpose of the middle ear bony structures (maleus, incus and stapes)is to
A) equalize pressure in the middle ear.
B) amplify the vibration as it conducts to the cochlea.
C) dampen the vibration as it conducts to the cochlea.
D) transmit otitis media to the cochlea.
E) transduce the sound waves into vibration.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of the middle ear bony structures is to amplify the vibration as it conducts to the cochlea. The maleus, incus and stapes work together to mechanically amplify the sound waves that enter the ear to ensure that they are strong enough to stimulate the sensory hair cells in the cochlea, which then transduce the sound waves into neural signals that can be interpreted by the brain.

The Primary Purpose of the Middle Ear Bony Structures (Maleus