Which of the following ossicles is adhered to tympanic membrane of middle ear ?

Options

A. Malleus
B. Incus
C. Stapes
D. Utricle

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Structure of the Ear:**
- The ear is divided into three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.
- The outer ear consists of the pinna and the external auditory canal.
- The middle ear contains the tympanic membrane (also known as the eardrum) and three small bones called ossicles.

2. **Identifying the Ossicles:**
- The three ossicles in the middle ear are:
- Malleus (often referred to as the hammer)
- Incus (the anvil)
- Stapes (the stirrup)
- These ossicles are arranged in a series: malleus is the first, followed by incus, and then stapes.

3. **Locating the Malleus:**
- The malleus is the ossicle that is directly attached to the tympanic membrane.
- It is positioned at the outermost part of the ossicular chain and plays a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the ossicle that is adhered to the tympanic membrane of the middle ear is the **malleus**.

**Final Answer: Malleus**

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