De Gehoorbeentjes

The auditory ossicles are a set of three tiny bones in the middle ear. They connect the tympanic  membrane to the fenestra ovalis — the entrance of the inner ear.

These bones attach to each other through synovial joints and are held in place by various ligaments.

The largest ossicle, malleus is a hammer-shaped bone that attaches to the tympanic membrane via its handle or manubrium.

The head of the malleus articulates with the middle ossicle called the incus.

The incus uses its lenticular process to articulate with the stapes — the smallest auditory ossicle, which sits loosely in the fenestra ovalis.

When sound waves strike, the tympanic membrane vibrates. The ossicles then aid in transmitting these vibrations to the fluids in the inner ear.

The fluid movement excites the sensory cells in the inner ear, transmitting a neural impulse along the auditory nerve to the brain.

If the sound is very loud, the tensor tympani and stapedius — muscles associated with the ossicles, contract and dampen the sound protecting the inner ear.