Malleus Bone - Inner Ear Bones (Auditory Ossicles)

What is the malleus bone? The malleus is the largest ossicle of the middle ear and is situated in the tympanic cavity most laterally, alongside the tympanic membrane. The name is derived from its shape, because it resembles a hammer or mallet.

Anatomical structures of the Malleus Bone:

Head

Neck

Handle

Lateral Process

Anterior Process

Facet for Incus

Head of Malleus

The head of the malleus is enlarged and forms the ovoid upper end of the malleus. The overall shape is alike to a mallet, hence the name. It extends above the tympanic membrane into the epitympanic recess of the tympanic cavity. It is the part that articulates with the incus and is covered by mucosa. A cartilaginous facet on the posterior surface demarcates the articulation.
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Neck of malleus

The narrow neck of the malleus is the narrowed part of the head inferiorly, that lies adjacent to the pars flaccida of the tympanic membrane. There is an enlargement inferior to the neck in which the processes project from. The chorda tympani nerve crosses it medially.
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Handle Of Malleus

The handle of the malleus may also be referred to as the manubrium. It descends postero-medially and tapers towards its free end where it curves forwards and is transversely flat. It is attached to the tympanic membrane on the projection on its medial surface.
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Lateral Process of Malleus

The lateral process of the malleus projects from the upper end of the handle. Anterior and posterior malleolus folds pass from the process to connect with the tympanic sulcus.
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anterior process of malleus

The anterior process of the malleus projects from the upper end of the handle. In the fetus, it is continuous with the cartilage of the first branchial arch. It is much less distinct in the adult and it connects with the petrotympanic fissure by some ligamentous fibers.
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facet of incus

The head of the malleus extends above the tympanic membrane into the epitympanic recess of the tympanic cavity to articulate with the saddle-shaped facet of the incus. The cartilaginous articular facet of the malleus is narrower in the middle; this splits the facet into two parts, a larger upper part and a smaller lower part. The parts are orientated at right angles to each other. A facet on the posterior surface of the head demarcates the articulation.
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This page was last updated 3/25/2010
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