Ossicle

Ossicles are small bones found in many organisms. In humans, they are located in the middle ear and are the smallest bones in the human body. They are crucial for hearing, as they transmit sounds from the air to the fluid-filled labyrinth (cochlea). The absence or malformation of ossicles can lead to hearing impairment.

Anatomy

The ossicles consist of three bones: the malleus, the incus, and the stapes, also known as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup respectively. They are named for their distinctive shapes. The malleus articulates with the tympanic membrane via the manubrium, whereas the stapes articulates with the oval window, a membrane-covered opening to the inner ear.

Function

The primary role of the ossicles is to transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to the inner ear. When sound waves enter the ear, they strike the tympanic membrane, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations are then transferred to the ossicles, which amplify the sound and transmit it to the inner ear.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the ossicles, including otosclerosis and cholesteatoma, can lead to conductive hearing loss. Otosclerosis is a condition in which the stapes becomes fixed in the oval window, preventing sound from entering the inner ear. Cholesteatoma is a skin growth that occurs in the middle ear behind the eardrum.

See also

• Ear
• Hearing
• Otosclerosis
• Cholesteatoma

Ossicle Resources
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