The stapedius muscle is recognized as the smallest skeletal muscle in the human body. It measures just over one millimeter in length and is located in the middle ear, specifically within the tympanic cavity. This tiny muscle plays a crucial role in the auditory system, helping to regulate sound by stabilizing the stapes, the smallest bone in the human body.
The stapedius muscle's function is to dampen loud noises by pulling the stapes away from the oval window, a membrane that separates the middle ear from the inner ear. This action reduces the amount of sound energy that reaches the inner ear, protecting it from damage.
