What is the primary function of the tympanic membrane?

The primary function of the tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum, is to transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted through the ossicles (the tiny bones in the middle ear) to the oval window, leading to the cochlea in the inner ear. This process is crucial for converting sound waves into mechanical energy, which the inner ear then translates into neural signals that the brain interprets as sound.

The other options pertain to functions that are not associated with the tympanic membrane. Producing sound is a function of vocal cords, not the tympanic membrane. While the tympanic membrane plays a role in protecting the inner ear by acting as a barrier, its primary purpose is sound transmission. Filtering air entering the nasal cavity is a function performed by structures in the nasal passages, such as the turbinates, and is unrelated to the tympanic membrane’s function.