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Multiple Choice
Which part of the ear is the first to vibrate when a sound wave enters the ear?
A
Hammer
B
Anvil
C
Cochlea
D
Eardrum
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the anatomy of the ear and the pathway of sound waves. Sound waves travel through the external ear and reach the eardrum, which is also known as the tympanic membrane.
Step 2: Learn the function of the eardrum. The eardrum is a thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves. These vibrations are the first mechanical response to sound entering the ear.
Step 3: Recognize the sequence of structures involved in sound transmission. After the eardrum vibrates, the vibrations are transmitted to the ossicles (hammer, anvil, and stirrup) in the middle ear.
Step 4: Clarify the roles of the hammer, anvil, and cochlea. The hammer and anvil are part of the ossicles that amplify the vibrations, while the cochlea in the inner ear converts these vibrations into neural signals.
Step 5: Conclude that the eardrum is the first structure to vibrate when a sound wave enters the ear, initiating the process of hearing.