Which ear bone directly contacts the eardrum?

Which ear bone directly contacts the eardrum?

• A. Incus
• B. Malleus
• C. Ossicles
• D. Stapes

Answer: (B)

Vibration from sound first hits the tympanic membrane, and the handle of the malleus (the hammer) is firmly attached to that membrane. This makes the malleus the bone that directly contacts the eardrum. From there, the malleus passes the motion to the incus and then to the stapes, which interfaces with the oval window of the inner ear to continue the hearing process. The term ossicles refers to all three small bones together, not a single bone, so it doesn’t describe the direct contact with the eardrum.

Vibration from sound first hits the tympanic membrane, and the handle of the malleus (the hammer) is firmly attached to that membrane. This makes the malleus the bone that directly contacts the eardrum. From there, the malleus passes the motion to the incus and then to the stapes, which interfaces with the oval window of the inner ear to continue the hearing process. The term ossicles refers to all three small bones together, not a single bone, so it doesn’t describe the direct contact with the eardrum.