The middle ear serves which auditory function?

Options

A. It converts air pressure waves into fluid pressure waves
B. It converts fluid pressure waves into air pressure waves
C. It converts air pressure waves into nerve impulses
D. It converts fluid pressure waves into nerve impulses

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Middle Ear**: The middle ear is an important part of the auditory system. It is located between the outer ear and the inner ear and plays a crucial role in hearing.

2. **Function of the Middle Ear**: The primary function of the middle ear is to transmit sound vibrations from the outer ear to the inner ear. It does this by converting sound waves into mechanical vibrations.

3. **Components of the Middle Ear**: The middle ear contains three small bones known as the ossicles:
- Malleus (hammer)
- Incus (anvil)
- Stapes (stirrup)

4. **Conversion Process**: When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted through the ossicles, amplifying the sound and converting it into fluid pressure waves in the cochlea of the inner ear.

5. **Final Conversion**: The fluid pressure waves in the inner ear are then converted into nerve impulses by the hair cells in the cochlea, which are sent to the brain for interpretation as sound.

6. **Correct Answer**: Based on the functions discussed, the correct answer to the question "The middle ear serves which auditory function?" is that it converts fluid pressure waves into nerve impulses.