Malleus

The malleus, also known as the “hammer” or “mallet,” is the largest of three small bones in the middle ear. The malleus functions with the other bones to transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. Conditions that affect the malleus often cause problems with the ability to hear.

The malleus (“hammer”), incus (“anvil”), and stapes (“stirrup”) are the three bones, also known as ossicles, of the inner ear. The malleus is the largest and the outermost of the bones, which are part of the auditory system. Together, the three bones make up an area no larger than the seed of an orange. The auditory ossicles are suspended in the middle ear by ligaments. The malleus is shaped like a hammer, thus its Latin name. It sits in the middle ear between the incus and the eardrum. The parts of the malleus include the:

• Head

• Neck

• Handle

A joint holds the head of the malleus and the incus together.