stapes
Word-form referencesstape
Pronunciations (3)
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/ˈsteɪ̯piːz/
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[ˈsteɪ̯pʰɪi̯z]
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ˈsteɪ.piːz
Noun
A small stirrup-shaped innermost ossicle of the middle ear of mammals, transmitting vibrations from the incus to the inner ear.
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- Examples
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More examples (1)
The tympanic cavity is spanned by the three smallest bones in the body: the auditory ossicles[…] These bones, named for their shape, are the malleus (malʹe-us; "hammer"); the incus (ingʹkus; "anvil"); and the stapes (staʹpēz; "stirrup"). The "handle" of the malleus is secured to the eardrum, and the base of the stapes fits into the oval window.
Noun
the stirrup-shaped ossicle that transmits sound from the incus to the cochlea
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
Word forms
stapedes