stapes
Noun
Meaning
The innermost of the ossicles of the ear; the stirrup, or stirrup bone; -- so called from its form. See Illust. of Ear.
Source: Webster's dictionarySynonyms
Derivatives
Anagrams
Examples
Dysfunction of the three small bones of the middle ear – malleus, incus, and stapes – may cause conductive hearing loss.
In these cases, the stapes either is also missing or, in the absence of an eardrum, connects to the quadrate bone in the skull, although, it is presumed, it still has some ability to transmit vibrations to the inner ear.
The malleus articulates to incus which connects to the stapes.
The footplate of the stapes connects to the oval window, the beginning of the inner ear.
When the stapes presses on the oval window, it causes the perilymph, the liquid of the inner ear to move.