auditory ossicles

n. Little bones of the middle ear, which are the three smallest bones in the human body. The ossicles are named hammer (or malleus), anvil (or incus), and stirrup (or stapes), because of the shape of the bones. The hammer is attached to the tympanic membrane, whereas the stirrup is located in the oval window of the cochlea. When the tympanic membrane vibrates, the ossicles transmit the vibration to the fluid of the cochlea. Auditory ossicles act as a lever, providing a mechanical advantage. There are two muscles attached to the ossicles (tensor tympani and stapen- dius); their function seems to be related to protecting the inner ear in cases of excessive loudness. - AA