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stapes

 
Dictionary: sta·pes   (stā'pēz) pronunciation
n., pl., stapes, or sta·pe·des (stā'pĭ-dēz').
The innermost of the three small bones of the middle ear, shaped somewhat like a stirrup. Also called stirrup.

[New Latin stapēs, stapēd-, from Medieval Latin, stirrup.]

stapedial sta·pe'di·al (stā-pē'dē-əl) adj.

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Medical Dictionary: sta·pes
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(stā'pēz)
n., pl. stapes or sta·pe·des (stā'pĭ-dēz').

The smallest of the three auditory ossicles, whose base fits into the oval window and whose head is articulated with the lenticular process of the long limb of the incus. Also called stirrup.

Veterinary Dictionary: stapedial
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Pertaining to the stapes.

WordNet: stapes
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Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: the stirrup-shaped ossicle that transmits sound from the incus to the cochlea
  Synonym: stirrup


Wikipedia: Stapes
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Bone: Stapes
Gray918.png
A. Left stapes. B. Base of stapes, medial surface.
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Chain of ossicles and their ligaments, seen from the front in a vertical, transverse section of the tympanum.
Bones and muscles in the tympanic cavity in the middle ear
Gray's subject #231 1045
Precursor 2nd branchial arch[1]
MeSH Stapes

The stapes or stirrup is the stirrup-shaped small bone or ossicle in the middle ear which is attached to the incus laterally and to the fenestra ovalis, the "oval window" medially. The oval window is adjacent to the vestibule of the inner ear. The stapes is the smallest and lightest bone in the human body.

The stapes transmits the sound vibrations from the incus to the membrane of the inner ear inside the fenestra ovalis. The stapes is also stabilized by the stapedius muscle, which is innervated by the facial nerve.[2]

In non-mammalian vertebrates, the bone homologous to the stapes is usually called the columella; however, in reptiles, either term may be used.

As the stapes first develops embryologically from the 6th to 8th week of life, it surrounds the stapedial artery, which supplies the majority of the vasculature of the embryonic head. After that period, the external carotid artery is generated and takes over for the stapedial artery, which subsequently involutes, leaving the stapes with a windowframe-like structure.

See also

References

  1. ^ hednk-023Embryology at UNC
  2. ^ http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/nervous_system/ear_ans.html Stapedius muscle
  • Vallejo-Valdezate LA, Martín-Gil J, José-Yacamán M, Martín-Gil FJ, Gil-Carcedo LM. "Scanning electron microscopy images and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of the stapes in otosclerosis and van der Hoeve syndrome". Laryngoscope. 2000 Sep;110(9):1505-10.

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Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Stapes" Read more