What is the primary function of the tympanic membrane?

The primary function of the tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum, is to vibrate in response to sound waves and to transmit those vibrations to the ossicles, which are the small bones in the middle ear. When sound waves enter the ear canal, they strike the tympanic membrane, causing it to move. This movement converts the sound waves into mechanical vibrations, which are then passed on to the ossicular chain (comprising the malleus, incus, and stapes). These vibrations are essential for the subsequent stages of hearing, as they eventually lead to the stimulation of the inner ear structures, which send auditory signals to the brain.

The other options highlight different aspects of ear function but do not represent the primary role of the tympanic membrane. While amplification of sound waves is a function of the ossicles, not the tympanic membrane itself, the membrane's primary role is the conversion of sound waves into vibrations. Protecting the inner ear from infection is a function served by other structures such as the Eustachian tube and the ear canal, while pressure equalization is primarily achieved through the Eustachian tube's action on the middle ear. Therefore, the correct answer underscores the tympanic membrane's critical role