Malleus

/mˈælɪəs/

[noun]

Malleus

[NOUN]

the small hammer-shaped bone in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear

synonyms : hammer

What is "malleus"?

The malleus is a small bone in the middle ear that plays a crucial role in the process of hearing. Shaped like a hammer, it is connected to the eardrum and acts as a bridge between the vibrations of sound waves and the inner ear. By transmitting these vibrations to the other two bones in the middle ear, it helps amplify and transmit sound signals to the cochlea, allowing us to perceive and interpret sound.

Examples

1. One end of the malleus connects to the inner eardrum and moves back and forth when the drum vibrates.

2. In the air-filled space of the middle ear are three small bones, the malleus, the incus, and the stapes.

3. The eardrum is attached to a chain of three small bones in the middle ear, called the ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes.

4. We know two of them, the malleus and incus, evolved from bones in our jaws.