What happens to the sound pressure as it travels from the tympanic membrane to the oval window?

The sound pressure increases as it travels from the tympanic membrane to the oval window due to the difference in area between these two structures. The tympanic membrane has a larger surface area compared to the oval window. When sound waves hit the tympanic membrane, they create vibrations that transmit through the ossicles in the middle ear (the malleus, incus, and stapes) before reaching the oval window.

Since the oval window is much smaller than the tympanic membrane, the energy from the sound wave is concentrated over a smaller area, resulting in an increase in sound pressure. This principle is essential for effective transmission of sound from the air-filled middle ear to the fluid-filled inner ear, where the increased pressure is necessary for stimulating the sensory cells in the cochlea. Thus, the correct answer highlights the critical biomechanical function that enhances sound transmission during the hearing process.