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How are the malleus, incus, and stapes connected in the middle ear?

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Cross-section diagram of the human ear showing the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, with labeled parts including the auricle, auditory canal, tympanic membrane, ossicles, cochlea, semicircular canals, and nerves. — human ear Structure of the human ear.

The malleus, incus, and stapes form an ossicular chain that transmits sound vibrations across the middle ear. These bones are connected as follows:

Malleus and Incus: The head of the malleus and the body of the incus are joined together by a tight, firm joint. The malleus is also anchored to the walls and roof of the epitympanum by three small ligaments, while the incus is stabilized by a ligament attaching its short process to the rear wall of the cavity.12
Incus and Stapes: The long process of the incus features a small bony knob that forms a loose, ligament-enclosed joint with the head of the stapes. The stapes lies horizontally at a right angle to this process of the incus.12

The entire chain is suspended by ligaments, allowing it to vibrate freely as it conducts sound from the tympanic membrane to the oval window of the inner ear.12