Stapes

Looks like

The smallest bone in the body, about 3 mm long, shaped like a stirrup, set in the oval window of the inner ear.

What it does

Pushes sound vibration into the fluid of the inner ear.

Keeping it well

Fixed in place by otosclerosis, causing gradually worsening hearing; surgery or a hearing aid restores it.

Related conditions

• Acromegaly
• Cholesteatoma
• Ear infections (otitis media & externa)
• Earwax blockage
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Otosclerosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Sarcoma
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency