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Multiple Choice
During the process of hearing, the _________ is the first structure to vibrate.
A
cochlea
B
stapes
C
tympanic membrane (eardrum)
D
oval window
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the anatomy of the human ear and the sequence of structures involved in the process of hearing. The ear is divided into three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.
Step 2: Recognize that sound waves first enter the outer ear and travel through the ear canal to reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane is a thin, flexible structure that vibrates in response to sound waves.
Step 3: Note that the vibration of the tympanic membrane sets the middle ear structures into motion. These include the ossicles: malleus, incus, and stapes. The stapes then transmits vibrations to the oval window.
Step 4: Understand that the cochlea, located in the inner ear, is responsible for converting these vibrations into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound. However, the cochlea is not the first structure to vibrate.
Step 5: Conclude that the tympanic membrane (eardrum) is the first structure to vibrate during the process of hearing, as it directly responds to incoming sound waves.