Which ossicle receives sound vibrations directly after the eardrum?

Which ossicle receives sound vibrations directly after the eardrum?

• A. Hammer
• B. Anvil
• C. Stirrup
• D. Cochlea

Answer: (A)

When sound waves reach the eardrum, its vibration must be handed off to the first middle-ear bone. That bone is the hammer (malleus), which is attached to the eardrum and receives the initial transfer of motion. The hammer then passes the vibrations to the anvil (incus) and from there to the stirrup (stapes), continuing the chain that amplifies and conveys the sound into the inner ear. The cochlea is part of the inner ear and does not contact the eardrum directly; it responds to the pressure waves transmitted through the ossicles to generate neural signals.

When sound waves reach the eardrum, its vibration must be handed off to the first middle-ear bone. That bone is the hammer (malleus), which is attached to the eardrum and receives the initial transfer of motion. The hammer then passes the vibrations to the anvil (incus) and from there to the stirrup (stapes), continuing the chain that amplifies and conveys the sound into the inner ear. The cochlea is part of the inner ear and does not contact the eardrum directly; it responds to the pressure waves transmitted through the ossicles to generate neural signals.