Ear ossicles

Definition

Ear ossicles are three small bones located in the middle ear, named the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup), which transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. They are the smallest bones in the human body and play a crucial role in the process of hearing by amplifying sound vibrations.

Related terms

Eardrum: A thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves hit it, initiating the process of hearing.

Cochlea: A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled inner ear structure responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals that are interpreted by the brain as sound.

Auditory Tube (Eustachian Tube): A tube that connects the middle ear to the pharynx and helps equalize air pressure on both sides of the eardrum