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Outer and Middle Ear: Ossicle Amplification

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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.

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Without the malleus and incus relaying vibration, the stapes alone is too short to reach the tympanum.

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The ossicles amplify force as well as transmit it — not passive conduits.