stapes
Tiniest human bone
The stapes is the smallest bone in the human body, one of three tiny bones in the middle ear that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
Named for its stirrup shape, it sits between the incus and the oval window.
Plural: stapes or stapedes.
Middle ear ossicle
- malleusHammer-shaped hearing bone
- ossiclesMinute skeletal structures
- oval windowMiddle ear opening
- footplateTrain engine platform
tensor tympani · crura · superstructure · base plate · articulation · lever mechanism
Perceiving sound waves
- cochleaSpiral hearing organ
- inner earBalance and hearing center
- vestibuleEnclosed space between doors
- labyrinthIntricate passage network
audiology · decibels · frequency response · sound amplification · vibration · resonance
Inner auditory membrane
- tympanumSound-receiving ear membrane
- round windowCircular pane in wall
- fenestraNatural body opening
- mastoidBreast-shaped skull prominence
Resembling stone, especially bone
- otologyScience of the ear
- vestibularOf the balance organ
- otologistSpecialist in hearing medicine
- cranialOf the skull
membranous · periosteum · embryology · branchial arch · fetal development · histology · ossification
Smallest of all
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
- minuteSixtieth of an hour
compact · delicate · lightweight · fragile · precision · intricate
incus
Middle ear ossicle
- malleusHammer-shaped hearing bone
- ossiclesMinute skeletal structures
- oval windowMiddle ear opening
footplate · tensor tympani · crura · superstructure · base plate · articulation · lever mechanism
hearing
Perceiving sound waves
labyrinth · audiology · decibels · frequency response · sound amplification · vibration · resonance
eardrum
Inner auditory membrane
- tympanumSound-receiving ear membrane
- round windowCircular pane in wall
- fenestraNatural body opening
petrous
Resembling stone, especially bone
- otologyScience of the ear
- vestibularOf the balance organ
- otologistSpecialist in hearing medicine
cranial · membranous · periosteum · embryology · branchial arch · fetal development · histology · ossification
tiniest
Smallest of all
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- microscopicToo small for eyes
- diminutiveVery small, or nickname form
minute · compact · delicate · lightweight · fragile · precision · intricate