Oval Window
The oval window is a small, membrane-covered opening located in the wall of the middle ear. It connects the middle ear to the inner ear and plays a crucial role in the process of hearing. When sound waves travel through the ear canal and vibrate the eardrum, these vibrations are transmitted to the oval window by the three tiny bones of the middle ear, known as the ossicles.
When the oval window vibrates, it creates waves in the fluid of the cochlea, which is part of the inner ear. These fluid waves stimulate hair cells in the cochlea, converting the mechanical energy of sound into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for interpretation. This process is essential for our ability to hear and understand sounds.