ossicle
Quick Summary
In zoology, an ossicle refers to a small bone or bony structure. The term is most commonly associated with the three tiny bones found in the middle ear of mammals: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These ossicles play a crucial role in transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear, enabling hearing.12
Other specialized uses of the term include:
* Dermal ossicles: Small bones or concretions found within the skin of certain reptiles and extinct ground sloths.3
* Weberian ossicles: A series of small bones in certain fish that connect the air bladder to the ear, aiding in hearing.4
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echinodermSkeletonā¦of a series of drum-shaped ossicles. The asteroid skeleton is composed of numerous smooth or spine-bearing ossicles of various shapes held together by muscles and ligaments, permitting flexibility. The arms of asteroids are hollow, those of ophiuroids solid, with the central axis of each arm consisting of elongated ossicles calledā¦
Read Moreā¦of a series of drum-shaped ossicles. The asteroid skeleton is composed of numerous smooth or spine-bearing ossicles of various shapes held together by muscles and ligaments, permitting flexibility. The arms of asteroids are hollow, those of ophiuroids solid, with the central axis of each arm consisting of elongated ossicles calledā¦
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skeletonSkeleton of echinodermsā¦supported; a series of ambulacral ossicles in each ray roughly corresponds with the vertebrae of vertebrates. The ossicles articulate with each other in mobile echinoderms such as starfishes and form the basis of the rapid movements of the arms of crinoids, brittlestars, and similar forms. The ambulacral ossicles and, inā¦
Read Moreā¦supported; a series of ambulacral ossicles in each ray roughly corresponds with the vertebrae of vertebrates. The ossicles articulate with each other in mobile echinoderms such as starfishes and form the basis of the rapid movements of the arms of crinoids, brittlestars, and similar forms. The ambulacral ossicles and, inā¦
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