What structures are part of the inner ear?

The inner ear is primarily responsible for processing sound and maintaining balance, and it contains several key structures involved in these functions. The correct choice refers to the oval window, cochlea, and organ of Corti.

The oval window acts as a membrane-covered opening leading from the middle ear to the cochlea. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate, which in turn sends vibrations through the ossicles (the anvil, stirrup, and malleus) to the oval window. This movement creates waves in the fluid-filled cochlea.

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure that transforms these vibrations into neural signals. It contains the organ of Corti, which houses hair cells that serve as the sensory receptors for hearing. When the fluid in the cochlea moves, it causes the hair cells to bend, leading to the generation of electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve.

In contrast, other options refer to structures that do not belong to the inner ear. The outer ear structures, such as the pinna and auditory canal, are responsible for collecting and funneling sound waves but are not part of the inner ear. The anvil and stirrup are part of the