Final answer:
The ear canal (external acoustic meatus) extends through the temporal bone to the tympanic membrane. It is the pathway for sound waves to travel from the auricle to the tympanic membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ear canal extends from the external acoustic meatus through the temporal bone to the tympanic membrane. The external acoustic meatus is the large opening on the lateral side of the skull that is associated with the ear. It is the pathway for sound waves to travel from the auricle (pinna) to the tympanic membrane.