The bone that is attached to the eardrum is called the ; the bone that is connected to the oval window is called the hammer (malleus); stirrup (stapes) anvil (incus); stirrup (stapes) hammer (malleus); anvil (incus) stirrup (stapes); hammer (malleus)

hammer (malleus); stirrup (stapes)

Explanation:

Middle ear lies between eardrum and oval window. It transmits sound from outer to inner ear. It has three bones: hammer (malleus), anvil (incus) and stirrup (stapes).

Eardrum vibrates due to sound waves. This vibration is transmitted further via the three bones of middle ear. They are arranged as hammer, anvil and stirrup starting from eardrum till oval window. Hence, hammer is the bone which is in direct contact with eardrum and stirrup is the bone directly connected to oval window. Oval window is a membrane that covers the entrance to cochlea in inner ear.