Stapes

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈsteɪ.piz/

Origin

From Late Latin stapēs ("stirrup").

Full definition of stapes

Noun

1. (skeleton) A small stirrup-shaped bone of the middle ear.
• 2010, Elaine N. Marieb & Katja Hoehn, Human Anatomy & Physiology, 8th edition, page 576The tympanic cavity is spanned by the three smallest bones in the body: the auditory ossicles... These bones, named for their shape, are the malleus (malʹe-us; "hammer"); the incus (ingʹkus; "anvil"); and the stapes (staʹpÄ“z; "stirrup"). The "handle" of the malleus is secured to the eardrum, and the base of the stapes fits into the oval window.

Synonyms

• (bone in the middle ear) stirrup

Derived terms

• stapedectomy
• stapedial
• stapedotomy

Anagrams

• pastes
• spates