Question

The stapes (ear bone) directly vibrates the:

A. oval window

B. hair cells

C. eardrum (tympanic membrane)

D. noxiceptors

E. otolith

F. malleus

Answer 1

The stapes (ear bone) directly vibrates the :

Answer: A) oval window

Explanation: Stapes is the shortest bone of the human body placed most medially in the tympanic cavity. The footplate of the stapes is held on the oval window (a membrane covered opening which leads the middle ear into the inner ear) by an annular ligament. Thus, the sound energy transmitted by the ear ossicles finally is relayed from the footplate of the stapes to the oval window.

Hair cells are sensory elements located within the organ of corti of inner ear and helps in converting mechanical stimulus into electrical signals.

Ear drum (Tympanic membrane) is a thin tissue membrane which separates the external ear from the middle ear and which helps in conduction of sound waves from external ear to the ear ossicles of middle ear.

Otoliths are calcium carbonate structure located in the vestibular system of inner ear which helps in detecting liner acceleration of human body.

Malleus is a hammer shaped ear ossicle. It is situated most laterally in the tympanic cavity and receives sound waves from the tympanic membrane and transmits them to the incus ear ossicle.