Which of the following bones is paired in the skull?

The malleus is a paired bone in the skull because there are two malleus bones, one in each middle ear. The malleus, along with the incus and stapes, comprises the auditory ossicles that are essential for hearing. Each malleus articulates with the tympanic membrane (eardrum) on one side and the incus on the other.

In contrast, the mandible is a single bone that forms the lower jaw, while the ethmoid and vomer bones are also single structures within the skull. The ethmoid is part of the nasal cavity and the base of the skull, providing support to the nasal structure, and the vomer forms the nasal septum, which separates the left and right nasal passages. Each of these bones serves critical functions in the skull's integrity and the anatomy of the nasal cavity but are not paired as the malleus is.