What is the primary function of the eardrum?

The primary function of the eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane, is to transmit sound vibrations to the ossicles. When sound waves enter the ear canal, they strike the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations are then passed on to the three tiny bones in the middle ear, called the ossicles (the malleus, incus, and stapes), which further amplify and transmit the sound to the inner ear. This process is crucial for hearing, as it converts the sound waves in the air into mechanical vibrations that can be processed by the auditory system.

The other options do play important roles related to sound and the ear, but they don't describe the primary function of the eardrum. Amplifying sound waves occurs primarily through the ossicles after the eardrum processes the initial vibrations. Filtering high-frequency sounds is more related to the way the ear processes sounds rather than a specific action of the eardrum itself. Balancing pressure in the ear is an important function of the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the throat, rather than the eardrum. Thus, the transmission of sound vibrations to the ossicles accurately captures the eardrum's main