HB-108 · Special Senses · Part
Middle ear ossicles
Also called: ear bones Ossicula auditus
Schematic 3D Classes 6-8 · Classes 9-10 · Classes 11-12 Intermediate Draft - educator review
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Parts: malleus; incus; stapes
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About
Three tiny bones, the malleus, incus and stapes, pass vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
- 📍 Where it is
- Middle ear cavity in the temporal bone.
- 🧱 Structure
- Malleus (hammer) attached to the eardrum, incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup) fitting the oval window.
- ⚙️ What it does
- Transfer and amplify sound vibrations.
💡 Key facts
- The stapes is the smallest bone in the body.
- Tiny muscles damp very loud sounds.
- The ossicles amplify pressure about 20 times.
✗ The eardrum is in the inner ear
✓ It is between the outer and middle ear.
📒 Words to know
- malleus
- hammer
- incus
- anvil
- stapes
- stirrup
🏫 Related lessons
- Human body, senses and hygiene Classes 1-5
- Human eye and optical phenomena Classes 9-10
- Sound Classes 6-8
Generic GayaGnan topic lessons. Check your own board's syllabus for the exact chapter.
🔎 Sources and credits
Catalog description: Three small bones and joints.
- OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, ch. 14 (special senses) (accessed 2026-10-30)
- 3D models: BodyParts3D (DBCLS) and the Human Reference Atlas (HuBMAP), CC BY 4.0, with GayaGnan schematics. 3D model credits
For learning only. This site does not give medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and it does not collect any health data.