Question

What separates the outer ear from the middle ear?
A.Eardrum
B.Ossicles
C.Pharyngeal pouch
D.Nasopharynx

Answer 1

Hint:The sound travels to the eardrum through the ear canal. The eardrum is a thin flap of skin and is stretched like a drum that vibrates when the sound hits the membrane. When the sound travels through the canal it vibrates the tiny bones of the middle ear which further travel to the inner ear.

Complete answer:The outer ear and the air-filled tympanic cavity of the middle ear is separated by the eardrum. There are three tiny bones in the middle ear known as ossicles which are also involved in the transmission of sound; it is further connected to the throat at nasopharynx via the pharyngeal opening of the Eustachian tube.
Among the given options:
The eardrum separates the middle and outer ear creating a barrier between them. It helps to protect the middle ear and inner ear from foreign objects.
The ossicles are three tiny bones present in the middle ear. These three are the smallest bones in the human body. They help to transmit sound from air to the cochlea (fluid-filled labyrinth)
The pharyngeal pouch is an intradermally lined pouch formed on the inside of the pharynx. It is a small herniated bulge in the pharynx. It is mostly seen in elderly people
The nasopharynx extends from the bottom of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate. It connects the nasal cavity and the throat. It further connects to the Eustachian tube in the middle ear. It helps to balance pressure within the ear.
Hence the correct answer is option B) ossciles

Additional Information:
The hardest bone in our body is the temporal bone that protects the inner ear. The vestibular system that is responsible for maintaining the equilibrium is also present in the ear.

Note:The soft cartilage structure at the opening of the ear canal may turn into a sensitive bony structure the closer you get to the eardrum in order to protect the eardrum.