For each of the structures concerned with sound transmission in the ear A–E, select the most appropriate option from the list below

A. Option 4 Located in the foramen ovale. It is embedded in the foramen ovale membrane.

B. Option 5 Bulges in when the oval window bulges in. Tympanic membrane movements are transmitted by the auditory ossicles to the oval window.

C. Option 3 Dampens vibrations of the tympanic membrane. This muscle is attached to the manubrium of the malleus and when it contracts reflexly in response to an incoming sound, it tightens the tympanic membrane and damps its movements.

D. Option 2 Dampens vibration of the oval window membrane. The stapedius muscle is attached to the stapes and pulls on it reflexly to dampen its movements in response to incoming loud noise.

E. Option 1 Bulges out when the oval window membrane bulges in. The round window lies where the scala tympani abuts on the middle ear and by bulging out when the stapes footplate bulges in reduces the pressure changes with incoming sounds in the inner ear.