What is the name of the thin membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves?

The tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum, is crucial in the auditory system as it vibrates in response to sound waves. When sound waves reach the tympanic membrane, they cause it to move. These vibrations are then transmitted to the small bones in the middle ear, which amplify the sound before it travels to the inner ear structures. The tympanic membrane plays a central role in capturing sound energy from the air and relaying it further into the auditory pathway, allowing for the perception of sound.

The other options pertain to different components of the ear. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear that converts these vibrations into neural signals, while the auditory canal is the passage that directs sound waves to the tympanic membrane. The concha refers to the outer part of the ear, which helps in collecting sound waves. However, it is the tympanic membrane that is specifically responsible for vibrating in direct response to sound waves.