The main function of the stapes is to transmit sound vibrations from the incus to the oval window of the inner ear.
The stapes, often referred to as the "stirrup" due to its shape, is one of the three small bones (ossicles) in the middle ear. Its critical role in the hearing process is to bridge the gap between the middle ear and the inner ear.
Here's a breakdown of its function based on the provided information:
- Location: Situated between the incus (the middle ossicle) and the entrance to the inner ear.
- Primary Action: It receives vibrations from the incus.
- Transmission Point: It transmits these vibrations directly to the oval window, which is a membrane-covered opening leading into the inner ear.
- Stabilization: The stapes is also supported and stabilized by the stapedius muscle, which helps control its movement and protect the inner ear from excessively loud sounds.
In essence, the stapes acts as a crucial link in the chain of ossicles (malleus -> incus -> stapes) that amplify and conduct mechanical vibrations generated by sound waves striking the eardrum, delivering them to the fluid-filled cochlea within the inner ear where they are converted into electrical signals understood by the brain.
