Question

Three small interlocking bones; the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup transmit the vibrations of the eardrum to the inner ear.
(A) True
(B) False
(C) Ambiguous
(D) Data insufficient

Answer 1

Hint
For answering the above question we have to first figure out which part of the ear do the three interlocking bones mentioned in the question belong to. Then on analyzing the transmission of the vibrations from one part of the ear to another, we will get the answer.

Complete step by step answer
The malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup) are three ear ossicles which interact with each other as a lever system, increasing the force of vibration. It is a kind of mini amplifier. The handle of the hammer is attached to the internal surface of the tympanic membrane (ear drum) and strikes against the anvil. Then the stapes pushes against another membrane, the oval window of the inner ear. These bones together in series make the vibrations strong enough so that they get transmitted to the inner ear. Thus the three bones, the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup transmit the vibrations of the eardrum to the inner ear.
Hence the correct answer is option (A).

Additional Information
When the eardrum moves in, the lever action of the ossicles pushes the stirrup and the oval window bulges into the inner ear. As the oval window of the inner ear is smaller than the eardrum, vibration against it increases the force per unit area of the membrane about fold. This is how the vibrations are made strong by the middle ear.

Note
We need to remember the order of the three sections of ear i.e. the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. As the above question is dealt with the order of sections only i.e. the middle ear transmits the vibrations received from outer ear to inner ear where hearing actually takes place.