Malleus

Malleus

The Malleus is one of the three ossicles in the human ear. It is the first and largest bone in the middle ear. The Malleus, also known as the hammer, connects with the incus and is attached to the tympanic membrane, which it helps to vibrate, thus transmitting sound to the inner ear.

Structure

The Malleus is a small bone located in the middle ear, and it is shaped like a club or a hammer, which is where it gets its name. It is connected to the tympanic membrane at one end and the incus at the other. The Malleus is one of the three ossicles in the human ear, the others being the incus and the stapes. These bones are the smallest in the human body.

Function

The primary function of the Malleus is to transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the incus. This is a crucial part of the process of hearing. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate. These vibrations are then transferred to the Malleus, which moves and passes the vibrations onto the incus. The incus then transfers these vibrations to the stapes, which sends them into the inner ear.

Clinical significance

Damage or disease affecting the Malleus can lead to hearing loss. Conditions such as otitis media, a middle ear infection, can cause inflammation and damage to the Malleus and other ossicles. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or replace the Malleus in order to restore hearing.

See also

• Ossicles
• Middle ear
• Hearing

References

Malleus Resources
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