The outer ear is composed of which of the following structures?

The outer ear is indeed composed of structures that include the auricle (also called the pinna) and the external auditory canal. The auricle is the visible part of the ear that collects sound waves from the environment and directs them into the external auditory canal, which serves as a passageway that leads to the eardrum. Together, these components play a critical role in the initial stages of hearing by capturing sound and funneling it toward the middle ear.

In contrast, the cochlea and semicircular canals, while essential components of the auditory and vestibular systems, are part of the inner ear, not the outer ear. The malleus, incus, and stapes—collectively known as the ossicles—are articulated bones located in the middle ear that help transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The tympanic membrane (eardrum) is also part of the middle ear, acting as a barrier between the outer ear and middle ear and vibrating in response to sound waves. Therefore, the structures of the outer ear are specifically identified as the auricle, pinna, and external auditory canal.