ossiculum

An ossiculum is a small bone or bony process. The term is often used in a medical or anatomical context. For example, in the human ear, there are three tiny ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These small bones work together to transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. Similarly, in some animals, ossicles can be found in other parts of the body, serving various functions. The term can also refer to a small bone fragment, such as a piece of bone that breaks off during a fracture. In paleontology, ossicles can be fossilized remains of extinct organisms, particularly echinoderms like starfish and sea urchins, which are composed of numerous small calcareous plates called ossicles. The specific meaning of ossiculum depends heavily on the biological or anatomical context in which it is used.