The incus is one of the three tiny bones in the middle ear, also known as the ossicles. It is located between the malleus (hammer) and stapes (stirrup) and acts as a bridge, transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
Structure and Function:
- Shape: The incus is shaped like an anvil, with a short limb, a long limb, and a body connecting the two.
- Connection:
- The short limb attaches to the malleus.
- The long limb connects to the stapes.
- Function: The incus acts as a lever, amplifying the vibrations from the malleus and transferring them to the stapes. This amplification helps to increase the sound pressure reaching the inner ear, improving our ability to hear.
Importance:
The incus plays a crucial role in hearing. Without it, sound vibrations would not be effectively transmitted to the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss.
Related Terms:
- Malleus: The first bone in the ossicular chain.
- Stapes: The smallest bone in the human body, located at the inner end of the ossicular chain.
- Ossicles: The three bones of the middle ear - malleus, incus, and stapes.
- Middle Ear: The air-filled cavity between the eardrum and the inner ear.
- Inner Ear: The innermost part of the ear, containing the cochlea and vestibular system.
