malleus

noun

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mal·le·us | \ ˈma-lē-əs

plural mallei\ ˈma-lē-ˌī

, -lē-ˌē \

Definition of malleus

: the outermost of a chain of three small bones of the mammalian middle ear

— called also hammer

— see ear illustration

Examples of malleus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The smallest bones are inside your ear, and they are known as the hammer (malleus), stirrup (stapes), and anvil (incus). — Jason Bittel, Washington Post, "Celebrate your skeleton this Halloween," 20 Oct. 2019 The auditory ossicles of the middle ear – the malleus, incus and stapes – are the tiniest bones in the human body. — Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, "Doctors Are 3D Printing Ear Bones To Help With Hearing Loss," 18 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'malleus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Malleus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malleus. Accessed 30 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for malleus

malleus

noun

mal·le·us | \ ˈmal-ē-əs

plural mallei\ -ē-ˌī

, -ē-ˌē

Medical Definition of malleus

: the outermost of the chain of three ossicles in the middle ear of a mammal consisting of a head, neck, short process, long process, and handle with the short process and handle being fastened to the tympanic membrane and the head articulating with the head of the incus

— called also hammer