Description
The auditory ossicles are a chain of three tiny bones located in the tympanic cavity of the middle ear in the temporal bone. The auditory ossicles are the malleus, incus and stapes and they are connected to the walls of the tympanic cavity by multiple ligaments. The chain of auditory ossicles extends from the tympanic membrane to the vestibular window of the labyrinthine wall, where:
- the tympanic membrane attaches to the malleus;
- the malleus articulates with the incus at the incudomallear joint;
- the incus articulates with the stapes at the incudostapedial joint;
- the stapes attaches to the vestibular window of the labyrinthine wall.
The auditory ossicles are involved in the sense of hearing. They transfer the vibratory movements of the tympanic membrane, produced by sound waves, to the internal ear for sensory processing. Their associated muscles, the tensor tympani and stapedius muscles, are capable of limiting the vibratory movement of the ossicles to prevent damage to internal ear structures when hearing loud sounds.
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Auditory Ossicles: What Are They, Location
The auditory ossicles malleus, incus, and stapes are three small bones in the middle ear that transmit air vibrations from the outer ear Learn with Osmosis
Auditory Ossicle
The auditory ossicles (three small bones – the malleus, incus and stapes) form a mobile chain-like bridge between the tympanic membrane and the oval window, transmitting sound vibrations through the middle ear.
