malleus

American  

[mal-ee-uhs] / ˈmæl i əs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

mallei

1. the outermost of a chain of three small bones in the middle ear of mammals.

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malleus British  

/ ˈmælɪəs /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: hammer.  the outermost and largest of the three small bones in the middle ear of mammals See also incus stapes

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malleus Scientific  

/ măl′ē-əs /

plural

mallei

1. The hammer-shaped bone that is the largest and outermost of the three small bones (ossicles) in the middle ear.

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Etymology

Origin of malleus

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin: “hammer”

Example Sentences

The auditory ossicles consist of three bones each: the malleus, incus, and stapes.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

If we did not have the malleus and the incus, then the vibrations of the tympanum would never reach the inner ear.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Without the malleus and incus, the vibrations of the pinna would not be able to reach the stapes and then be sent to the cochlea.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Without the malleus and incus, the vibrations of the tympanum would not be able to reach the stapes and then be sent to the cochlea.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

He was buried at Westminster under a plain slab on which was inscribed Edwardus primus Scottorum malleus hic est.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various