The hammer, anvil, and stirrup are part of the ear. These three tiny bones are located in the middle ear and are collectively known as the ossicles. They play a crucial role in the process of hearing by transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.
Here’s a brief explanation of each bone:
- Hammer (Malleus): This bone is attached to the eardrum. When the eardrum vibrates due to sound waves, the hammer moves accordingly.
- Anvil (Incus): The anvil is connected to the hammer and receives the vibrations from it. It then passes these vibrations to the stirrup.
- Stirrup (Stapes): The stirrup is the smallest bone in the human body. It transfers the vibrations from the anvil to the oval window, which is the entrance to the inner ear.
Together, these bones amplify the sound vibrations, allowing us to hear even faint sounds clearly.