Which structures are part of the middle ear?

The middle ear consists of several key structures that play crucial roles in the process of hearing. The tympanum, also known as the tympanic membrane or eardrum, is the boundary between the outer ear and the middle ear; it vibrates in response to sound waves. The ossicles, which include three tiny bones called the malleus, incus, and stapes, are located in the middle ear and are essential for transmitting sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear. The oval window, another critical structure, is a membrane-covered opening that leads from the middle ear to the inner ear; it amplifies the vibrations from the ossicles into the fluid-filled cochlea, where they are converted into nerve signals for the brain.

The presence of these specific structures is what distinguishes the middle ear from other parts of the auditory system. Other options contain elements like the cochlea and semicircular canals, which are part of the inner ear, and features like earwax, which do not belong to the anatomical structures of the ear itself. This context clarifies the importance of selecting the option that accurately identifies components solely associated with the middle ear.