Final answer:
The middle ear contains a group of bones known as ossicles, including the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup), which are crucial for hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The middle ear contains a group of bones called the ossicles. These include the malleus (or hammer), the incus (or anvil), and the stapes (or stirrup), which are essential for transmitting sound vibrations from the air to the fluid-filled cochlea in the inner ear.
These three ossicles are unique to mammals and are known to be the smallest bones in the body.