The bone in the middle ear commonly called the stirrup is which?

The bone in the middle ear commonly called the stirrup is which?

• A. Malleus
• B. Incus
• C. Stapes
• D. Cochlea

Answer: (C)

In the middle ear, three tiny bones form the chain that passes sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear: the malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). The bone commonly called the stirrup is the stapes. It’s the smallest bone in the body and is shaped like a stirrup. The stapes is the last link in the chain, with its footplate pressing into the oval window of the cochlea to move the inner-ear fluids. This motion helps transfer and amplify sound energy from air into the fluid-filled inner ear, where it’s detected as nerve signals. The cochlea is part of the inner ear, not a bone, and the other two bones are the hammer and anvil.

In the middle ear, three tiny bones form the chain that passes sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear: the malleus (hammer), the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). The bone commonly called the stirrup is the stapes. It’s the smallest bone in the body and is shaped like a stirrup. The stapes is the last link in the chain, with its footplate pressing into the oval window of the cochlea to move the inner-ear fluids. This motion helps transfer and amplify sound energy from air into the fluid-filled inner ear, where it’s detected as nerve signals. The cochlea is part of the inner ear, not a bone, and the other two bones are the hammer and anvil.