Malleus

It is the outermost ossicle of the mammalian middle ear, also called the hammer, and attaches to and moves with the tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane vibrates, leading to the movement of the chain of ossicles.

Incus

The malleus attaches to the incus, also known as the “anvil,” which is the middle ossicle of the middle ear. The incus transmits vibrations from the malleus to the stapes, allowing sound waves to be transferred to the inner ear.

Stapes

The innermost bone is the stapes, or “stirrup bone.” It helps transmit vibrations caused by sound waves from the eardrum membrane to the inner ear. It is the smallest bone within the human body, displacing fluid within the inner ear.