stapes

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Diagram of the human ear showing how sound waves travel through the outer ear and auditory canal to the tympanic membrane, causing vibrations in the ossicles, and then through the middle and inner ear, including the cochlea. Color-coded sections highlight the outer ear in orange, middle ear in pink, and inner ear in blue.

Know how human ears help to perceive and distinguish sounds

stapes

anatomy

Also known as: stirrup

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Diagram of the human ear showing how sound waves travel through the outer ear and auditory canal to the tympanic membrane, causing vibrations in the ossicles, and then through the middle and inner ear, including the cochlea. Color-coded sections highlight the outer ear in orange, middle ear in pink, and inner ear in blue. — human ear canal In human hearing, sound waves enter the outer ear and travel through the external auditory canal. When the waves reach the tympanic membrane, they cause the membrane and the attached chain of auditory ossicles to vibrate. The motion of the stapes against the oval window sets up waves in the fluids of the cochlea, causing the basilar membrane to vibrate. This stimulates the sensory cells of the organ of Corti, atop the basilar membrane, to send nerve impulses to the brain.

The stapes, also known as the stirrup, is one of the three tiny bones in the middle ear of all mammals. These bones, collectively called the ossicles, include the malleus (hammer) and incus (anvil). The stapes is the smallest of these bones and resembles a stirrup. It transmits sound vibrations from the eardrum to the fluid of the inner ear. The footplate of the stapes fits into the oval window, an opening in the wall of the inner ear. If the stapes becomes fixed, it can lead to hearing loss.1234

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ear bone
…incus, or anvil, and the stapes, or stirrup. Together they form a short chain that crosses the middle ear and transmits vibrations caused by sound waves from the eardrum membrane to the liquid of the inner ear. The malleus resembles a club more than a hammer, whereas the incus looks…
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…incus, or anvil, and the stapes, or stirrup. Together they form a short chain that crosses the middle ear and transmits vibrations caused by sound waves from the eardrum membrane to the liquid of the inner ear. The malleus resembles a club more than a hammer, whereas the incus looks…
Read More

mammal
Skeleton
The innermost bone is the stapes, or “stirrup bone.” It rests against the oval window of the inner ear. The stapes is homologous with the entire stapedial structure of reptiles, which in turn was derived from the hyomandibular arch of primitive vertebrates. The incus, or “anvil,” articulates with the stapes.…
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The innermost bone is the stapes, or “stirrup bone.” It rests against the oval window of the inner ear. The stapes is homologous with the entire stapedial structure of reptiles, which in turn was derived from the hyomandibular arch of primitive vertebrates. The incus, or “anvil,” articulates with the stapes.…
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otosclerosis
…middle ear, typically affecting the stapes (stirrup), a bone in the region of the oval window. It is at the oval window that the footplate of the stapes comes into contact with the fluids of the inner ear and acts as a piston to conduct sound energy from the eardrum…
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…middle ear, typically affecting the stapes (stirrup), a bone in the region of the oval window. It is at the oval window that the footplate of the stapes comes into contact with the fluids of the inner ear and acts as a piston to conduct sound energy from the eardrum…
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reptile
Hearing
…rear of the head; the stapes, a small bone running between the tympanum and the skull in the tympanic cavity (the middle ear); the inner ear; and a eustachian tube connecting the middle ear with the mouth cavity. In reptiles that can hear, the tympanum vibrates in response to sound…
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…rear of the head; the stapes, a small bone running between the tympanum and the skull in the tympanic cavity (the middle ear); the inner ear; and a eustachian tube connecting the middle ear with the mouth cavity. In reptiles that can hear, the tympanum vibrates in response to sound…
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human ear
Auditory ossicles
…the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). The malleus more closely resembles a club than a hammer, and the incus looks more like a premolar tooth with uneven roots than an anvil. These bones are suspended by ligaments, which leave the chain free to vibrate in transmitting sound from the…
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…the incus (anvil), and the stapes (stirrup). The malleus more closely resembles a club than a hammer, and the incus looks more like a premolar tooth with uneven roots than an anvil. These bones are suspended by ligaments, which leave the chain free to vibrate in transmitting sound from the…
Read More