Anular ligament of stapes

Anular Ligament of Stapes

The Anular Ligament of Stapes is a critical component of the human auditory system. It is a fibrous ring that holds the stapes, the smallest bone in the human body, in the oval window of the ear.

Anatomy

The Anular Ligament of Stapes is a fibrous ring that encircles the footplate of the stapes. It is located in the middle ear, specifically in the oval window, which is an opening in the wall of the middle ear that leads to the inner ear. The ligament holds the stapes in place, allowing it to vibrate freely when sound waves enter the ear. This vibration is crucial for the transmission of sound to the inner ear.

Function

The primary function of the Anular Ligament of Stapes is to secure the stapes in the oval window while allowing it to vibrate in response to sound waves. These vibrations are then transmitted to the fluid-filled inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.

Clinical Significance

Damage or degeneration of the Anular Ligament of Stapes can lead to conductive hearing loss, a type of hearing loss where sound waves are not efficiently conducted from the outer ear to the inner ear. This can be caused by otosclerosis, a condition where abnormal bone growth in the middle ear interferes with the function of the stapes.

See Also

• Stapes
• Oval window
• Middle ear
• Inner ear
• Conductive hearing loss
• Otosclerosis