What are the small bones in the middle ear known as?

The small bones in the middle ear are known as the ossicular chain bones. This set consists of three tiny bones: the malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), and stapes (stirrup). These bones play a crucial role in the auditory function by transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. When sound waves hit the eardrum, it vibrates and these vibrations are transferred through the ossicular chain. The arrangement and mechanical properties of the ossicles enhance the transmission of sound, ensuring that it is effectively conveyed to the cochlea, where further processing occurs.

In contrast, the semicircular canals are part of the vestibular system involved in balance, the cochlea is the structure that converts sound vibrations into neural signals for hearing, and outer ear structures refer to components such as the pinna and ear canal, which are responsible for collecting sound waves but not for sound transmission. This distinction highlights the unique and vital role of the ossicular chain in the hearing process.