Which structure receives vibrations from the ossicular chain?

Which structure receives vibrations from the ossicular chain?

• A. Oval window.
• B. Pinna.
• C. Eustachian tube.
• D. Cochlea.

Answer: (A)

Vibration transmission from the middle ear to the inner ear happens at the oval window. The ossicular chain (malleus, incus, stapes) moves in response to sound and the stapes footplate pushes on the oval window, a membrane-covered opening into the cochlea. This movement sets the cochlear fluids into motion, beginning the mechanical-to-neural transduction by hair cells in the cochlea. The pinna is involved in capturing sounds, the Eustachian tube equalizes pressure, and the cochlea is where transduction occurs after the initial input is delivered by the oval window, making the oval window the structure that directly receives the vibrations from the ossicular chain.

Vibration transmission from the middle ear to the inner ear happens at the oval window. The ossicular chain (malleus, incus, stapes) moves in response to sound and the stapes footplate pushes on the oval window, a membrane-covered opening into the cochlea. This movement sets the cochlear fluids into motion, beginning the mechanical-to-neural transduction by hair cells in the cochlea. The pinna is involved in capturing sounds, the Eustachian tube equalizes pressure, and the cochlea is where transduction occurs after the initial input is delivered by the oval window, making the oval window the structure that directly receives the vibrations from the ossicular chain.