malleus

Function

• the 3 auditory ossicles (incus, malleus, staps) facilitate transmission of sound from the tympanic membrane to the vestibular (oval) window

Structure

• the malleus is the largest of 3 auditory ossicles, resembling a club
• it has a head & neck from which eminates the handle or manubrium & a thin anterior process
• from the base of the manubrium, a short lateral process arises
• the manubrium & short lateral process are firmly attached to the tympanic membrane
• the head articulates with a saddle-shaped surface on the body of the incus.

More general terms

• ear ossicle

More specific terms

• malleolar/mallear prominence
• manubrium (handle) of malleus
• stria mallearis (malleolar stria)