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 malleus originated from the articular bone, whereas the incus originated from the quadrate bone.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Inside the Eustachian tube the malleus, which touches the inside of the tympanum, is attached to the incus, which is in turn attached to the horseshoe-shaped stapes.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The malleus is attached to the tympanic membrane and articulates with the incus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The three ossicles are the malleus, incus, and stapes, which are Latin names that roughly translate to hammer, anvil, and stirrup.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

On his court-advancement Mr. Simson of Stirling made the following line, Aureus, heu! fragilem confregit malleus urnam.

From Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies) A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies by Howie, John