If one examines the ear of a human and begins with the outer ear and continues to the inner ear, what is the order of structures encountered?

a. tympanic membrane → malleus → incus → stapes → oval window → cochlea
b. tympanic membrane → incus → malleus → stapes → oval window → cochlea
c. tympanic membrane → malleus → incus → stapes → cochlea → oval window
d. tympanic membrane → oval window → malleus → incus → stapes → cochlea