Biology / Unit 12 Bio 2897 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Outer and Middle Ear: Ossicle Amplification
Captions available
The idea
The outer ear channels sound waves to the tympanum, whose vibration is amplified by the middle ear's three ossicles — malleus, incus, stapes — before reaching the inner ear's oval window.
In practice
Without the malleus and incus relaying vibration, the stapes alone is too short to reach the tympanum.
Where people slip
The ossicles amplify force as well as transmit it — not passive conduits.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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