There are three bones in the middle ear. These tiny bones are collectively known as the ossicles.
The Three Ear Bones
The three ossicles are:
- Malleus (Hammer): The outermost bone, connected to the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
- Incus (Anvil): The middle bone, which connects the malleus and stapes.
- Stapes (Stirrup): The innermost bone, connected to the oval window of the inner ear.
Function of the Ear Bones
These bones are crucial for hearing. They vibrate in response to sound waves and transmit these vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear, specifically the cochlea. The ossicles amplify the sound, allowing us to hear even faint noises. The stapes is actually the smallest bone in the human body!
Summary
The middle ear houses three vital bones – the malleus, incus, and stapes – that work together to facilitate hearing by transmitting and amplifying sound vibrations to the inner ear.
