The smallest bone of the human body is the stirrup, one of which make up the ossicles chain of the middle ear.
These three bones are actually the three smallest and are located behind the eardrum.
The human body is made up of a whole complex bone system, structured with its joints and differences.
The bones that comprise it are 206 in total and its function is to give support, protection, movement to the body.
But also, each of the bones in an organ itself, because it is composed of nervous tissue, blood and adipose tissue.
Each one has a different size, shape, structure and location that in turn fulfill specific functions within the organism of the human being.
The largest bone, on the other hand, is the femur and has on average a length that is about forty-six centimeters long.
This difference in size with the smaller bone is abysmal. The extension of the stirrup is located between 2.5 and 3.4 millimeters in length.
The name of this diminutive bone is due to its similarity with the stirrups that are used to mount to horse.
This can give an accurate idea of its shape, because the stirrup is the metal arch where the feet are placed and hanging from the saddles.
characteristics
Although the stirrup is the shortest of all bones, it must be said that it is not alone. This bone is part of a chain of three very small pieces that are located in the hatred.
The involvement of these bones is important for the development of regular hearing. Next to the anvil and hammer are the bones of the middle ear.
In turn, the anvil can reach 7 millimeters in length, while the hammer is between 7 and 9 millimeters.
In the middle ear, between the outer and the inner, it is where the sounds are transformed into vibrations, which will be captured by the nerve cells to transmit impulses to the brain.
To develop this process the structure of the middle ear has the said bones.
These are the connection of the tympanic membrane with the oval window. That is why it is said that it is the eardrum that exerts a protective function of the chain of ossicles.
In order, the handle of the hammer is connected to the membrane and its head is attached to the anvil. This second bone is connected, in turn, with the stirrup that ends by making contact insert in the oval membrane.
As it is the last one, the stirrup is in charge of stimulating the liquids of the labyrinth.
Functions
These bones amplify the vibrations that travel through the air captured by the tympanum and help the process of transformation towards the liquid medium.
Also, bones have a key role in controlling the frequency of what we hear and their internal uptake.
They are so small that the area in which the vibrations are distributed has a higher concentration and intensity. Without them, the vibrations would be minor and auditory information would be lost.
But in turn, the intensity of the vibration of the bones is regulated by the tensor muscle of the tympanum and that of the stirrup, connected with the facial muscle. These make light pressure on them to adjust the frequencies.
References
- Beltrán, J.; Virós, P. and Orús, C. Anatomical bases of the ear and the temporal bone. Hospital of Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Barcelona. Recovered from seorl.net
- Blazquez, C. (2012). Skeletal system: functions. Bones: structure and classification. Veracruz University. Recovered from uv.mx
- Chong Wong, M. Middle ear. Recovered from Otolaryngology. sisbib.unmsm.edu.pe
- Where is the smallest bone? Very interesting magazine. very interesting
- García Sánchez, J. Los Huesos. Module of anatomical bases and physiology of the sport. Recovered from edvillajunco.es.