What does ossicle mean?
An ossicle is a small bone, and in anatomy the term most often refers to one of the three bones of the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes. These tiny structures form a linked chain that transfers vibrations from the eardrum to the fluid of the inner ear, helping make hearing possible. Although called middle ear ossicles to distinguish them from other small bones, they are also known collectively as the auditory ossicles. The word is uncommon in general conversation and is chiefly used in medicine, anatomy, and related scientific description. It comes from a Latin diminutive meaning “small bone,” reflecting both the literal breadth of the definition and the extraordinary smallness of the ear bones. The stapes, one of the ossicles, is the smallest bone in the human body. Knowing “ossicle” therefore provides a precise term for what is often described informally as an ear bone while also pointing to a striking feature of comparative anatomy.
nounA small bone, especially one of the three tiny bones in the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes.
- One of the three small bones in the middle ear, collectively called the auditory ossicles.
- Any small bone, especially one occurring in an animal's skeleton.
"The ossicles transfer sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear."
"Damage to the ossicles can impair the transmission of sound to the inner ear."
"The scientist examined a tiny ossicle preserved in the fossil."
The plural is used especially when referring collectively to the three bones of the middle ear.
"The three ossicles are the malleus, incus, and stapes."
One of the ossicles—the stapes—is the smallest bone in the human body.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ossicle come from?
Ossicle comes through Medieval Latin from ossiculum, a diminutive of the Latin os, meaning “bone.” The term was adopted into English for use in anatomical and zoological description. The same Latin root also underlies forms such as ossify, osseous, and ossuary.
Related word forms
How ossicle is actually used
This is a rare, chiefly technical term used in anatomy, medicine, zoology, and paleontology. In general speech, “ear bone” is more readily understood.