Home > Anatomy Systems > Skeletal System > Bones of the Head and Neck > Bones of the Ear

Bones of the Ear

The bones of the ear are located in the middle ear and are called the ossicles, which include the malleus, incus, and stapes. The middle ear is a small cavity that conducts sound to the inner ear by means of these three tiny, linked, moveable bones. These are the smallest bones in the body and are named for their shape.

The hammer (malleus) joins the inside of the eardrum. It sends sound...

Anatomy Terms

Change Anatomical System

Change View Angle

    Full Bones of the Ear Description

    [Continued from above] . . . vibrations to the incus from the eardrum. The anvil (incus) has a broad joint with the hammer and a very delicate joint to the stirrup (stapes). The incus sends the sound vibrations that the malleus transmitted, over to the stapes. From here, the stapes sends those vibrations to the inner ear's membranes. The base of the stirrup fills the oval window, which leads to the inner ear.

    The inner ear receives sound waves from these ossicles. The small bones create fluid membrane waves by converting compression sound waves from the eardrum.