Definition

Noun: 1. A small bone in the middle ear: The malleus is one of the three tiny bones (ossicles) in the middle ear. It is shaped like a hammer and is directly attached to the eardrum (tympanic membrane). Its function is to transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the other ossicles.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The vibration of the eardrum causes the malleus to move.
  • Otosclerosis is a condition that can affect the mobility of the malleus and the other ossicles.
  • The three auditory ossicles are the malleus, the incus, and the stapes.

Advanced Usage

• "Malleus, incus, and stapes": This is the standard sequence for naming the three ossicles of the middle ear, often learned together in anatomy.
  • Sound conduction through the middle ear involves the chain of bones: malleus, incus, and stapes.

Variants and Related Words

• Ossicle (noun): A general term for a small bone, specifically referring to any of the three bones in the middle ear.
• Auditory ossicles (noun phrase): The collective term for the malleus, incus, and stapes.
• Mallear (adjective): Relating to the malleus.
  • The mallear ligament helps stabilize the bone.

Synonyms

• Hammer: A common informal name for the malleus, derived from its shape.

Related Terms (Anatomical Context)

• Tympanic membrane: The eardrum, to which the malleus is attached.
• Incus: The anvil-shaped middle bone, which receives vibrations from the malleus.
• Stapes: The stirrup-shaped innermost bone, which transmits vibrations to the inner ear.
• Ossicular chain: The linked series of the three ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes).

Noun

1. the ossicle attached to the eardrum