ossiclesmalleus
The malleus, commonly called the hammer, is one of the three auditory ossicles in the middle ear, alongside the incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup). It forms the outer link in the chain that transmits sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
The malleus consists of a handle (manubrium), a neck, head, and a small articular facet that connects
Developmentally, the malleus arises from Meckel's cartilage of the first pharyngeal arch and ossifies through endochondral
Functionally, the malleus participates in impedance matching, transmitting and transforming the tympanic membrane’s vibrations into the
Muscles and innervation: the middle ear contains the tensor tympani, which attaches to the malleus handle, and
Clinical relevance: disruption of the malleus or its joints, due to trauma or chronic otitis media, can