Stapes

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Stapes

Stapes (/ˈsteɪpiːz/; from Latin stapes, meaning "stirrup") is the smallest bone in the human body. It is one of the three ossicles in the middle ear that transmit sound from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to the inner ear.

Etymology

The term stapes originates from the Latin word for "stirrup," due to the bone's distinctive shape. The stapes is one of the three ossicles, the others being the malleus (hammer) and the incus (anvil), all named for their shapes.

Anatomy

The stapes is situated between the incus and the inner ear. The footplate of the stapes fits into the oval window, the entrance to the inner ear. The stapes transmits the sound vibrations from the incus to the oval window, setting the fluids of the inner ear into motion and beginning the process that converts the pressure waves into nerve impulses.

Related Terms

  • Ossicles: The three tiny bones of the middle ear, including the stapes, malleus, and incus.
  • Tympanic membrane: Also known as the eardrum, it vibrates in response to sound waves and transmits these vibrations to the ossicles.
  • Inner ear: The innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals, which are involved in hearing and balance.
  • Oval window: A membrane-covered opening that leads from the middle ear to the vestibule of the inner ear.

External links

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