ossiklerne

Ossiklerne is a term that refers to the three small bones found in the middle ear of mammals. These bones, known as the malleus, incus, and stapes, play a crucial role in the process of hearing. They are collectively referred to as the auditory ossicles. The malleus, or hammer, is attached to the eardrum and transmits vibrations to the incus. The incus, or anvil, acts as a bridge, passing the vibrations from the malleus to the stapes. The stapes, or stirrup, is the smallest bone in the human body and inserts into the oval window, a membrane-covered opening in the cochlea.

The primary function of the ossicles is to efficiently transfer sound vibrations from the air in the outer ear to the fluid-filled inner ear. This transfer is not just mechanical; the ossicles also amplify the pressure of the sound waves. This amplification is necessary because the impedance mismatch between air and the fluid of the cochlea would otherwise result in a significant loss of sound energy. The lever system created by the ossicles, combined with the surface area difference between the eardrum and the oval window, effectively magnifies the force of the vibrations. Damage or dysfunction of the ossicles can lead to conductive hearing loss, a condition where sound is not effectively transmitted through the outer or middle ear.