Superior ligament of incus

Superior ligament of incus

The incus of the human ear, with the superior ligament of incus labeled at the top.

The Superior ligament of incus is a small fibrous band in the middle ear that extends from the body of the incus to the roof of the tympanic cavity. It is one of the two ligaments that hold the incus in place, the other being the posterior ligament of the incus.

Structure

The superior ligament of incus is a small, fibrous band that extends from the body of the incus to the roof of the tympanic cavity. It is one of the two ligaments that hold the incus in place, the other being the posterior ligament of the incus. The superior ligament of incus is smaller and less distinct than the posterior ligament.

Function

The superior ligament of incus, along with the posterior ligament, helps to hold the incus in place within the tympanic cavity. This is crucial for the proper functioning of the middle ear, as the incus, along with the malleus and stapes, are responsible for transmitting sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear.

Clinical significance

Damage or degeneration of the superior ligament of incus can lead to a condition known as conductive hearing loss, where the transmission of sound from the outer ear to the inner ear is impaired. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, infection, or trauma to the ear.

See also

• Incus
• Middle ear
• Conductive hearing loss