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The Auditory Ossicles

The Auditory Ossicles

The auditory ossicles of the middle ear transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. The auditory ossicles consist of two malleus (hammer) bones, two incus (anvil) bones, and two stapes (stirrups), one on each side. These bones develop during the fetal stage and are the ones to ossify first. They are fully mature at birth and do not grow afterward.
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Step-by-Step Stapedotomy through Transcanal Exclusive Endoscopic Approach

Step-by-Step Stapedotomy through Transcanal Exclusive Endoscopic Approach

Published on: March 5, 2022

Absent Stapedial Tendon: A Case Report.

Khalid S Alqarni¹, Lulwah S Alhumaidan², Saad Alenzi³

¹Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAU.

|November 20, 2024

Summary

Congenital absence of the stapedius muscle and tendon is rare but can occur. Awareness of this anomaly is crucial for surgeons operating on middle ear pathologies like otosclerosis.

Keywords:

absent ear hearing otology stapedius muscle

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Last Updated: Jun 7, 2025

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Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Anatomy
Surgical Pathology

Background:

The stapedius muscle, a small skeletal muscle, connects the pyramidal eminence to the stapes via its tendon.
Congenital absence of the stapedius muscle and tendon is an uncommon finding, with limited reports in medical literature.

Observation:

A middle-aged male patient presented with bilateral mixed hearing loss, initially diagnosed as otosclerosis.
Intraoperative exploration revealed an absent stapedial muscle tendon and a non-prominent pyramidal eminence.

Findings:

The case highlights a rare congenital anomaly: the absence of the stapedius muscle and tendon.
Preoperative audiological assessment in such cases may show an absent stapedial tendon reflex.

Implications:

Surgeons must be aware of potential stapedius muscle and tendon anomalies when planning middle ear surgeries.
Careful interpretation of imaging studies is essential for identifying these rare anatomical variations prior to intervention.
Recognition of this anomaly is particularly important in otosclerosis cases to avoid surgical complications.