Middle Ear

The middle ear is the part of the auditory system that lies between the outer ear and the inner ear. It consists of the eardrum and a chain of three tiny bones that transmit vibrations from the eardrum. These bones are: hammer, anvil and stirrup, united by cartilage. The eardrum is a thin membrane composed of translucent connective tissue and epithelial acoustic vibrations picked up from the outside and sends the hammer, anvil and stirrup, which in turn sends them to the inner ear through the oval window. The function of the middle ear is, therefore, receive and transmit sound waves from the outer to the cochlea, located in the inner ear.