Stirrup
Small U-shaped bone in the middle ear
| Latin | Stapes |
|---|---|
| System | Auditory system |
The stirrup, also known as the stapes, is a small bone in the middle ear of humans and other mammals. It is involved in the conduction of sound vibrations to the inner ear. The stapes is the smallest and lightest bone in the human body.
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
The stapes is one of the three ossicles in the middle ear, the others being the malleus (hammer) and the incus (anvil). It has a stirrup-like shape, which is where it gets its name. The stapes consists of a head, neck, two limbs (anterior and posterior crura), and a base (footplate). The head of the stapes articulates with the incus, and the base fits into the oval window, a membrane-covered opening to the inner ear.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of the stapes is to transmit sound vibrations from the incus to the oval window, a membrane-covered opening to the cochlea of the inner ear. When sound waves enter the ear, they cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted through the ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) to the oval window. The movement of the stapes at the oval window creates pressure waves in the fluid-filled cochlea, which ultimately leads to the perception of sound.
Development[edit | edit source]
The stapes develops from the second pharyngeal arch during embryonic development. It is fully formed by the time of birth and continues to grow slightly during early childhood.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities or damage to the stapes can lead to hearing loss. One common condition affecting the stapes is otosclerosis, a disease in which abnormal bone growth around the stapes impedes its movement, leading to conductive hearing loss. Surgical procedures, such as a stapedectomy, can be performed to improve hearing in individuals with otosclerosis.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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