How Do You Spell STIRRUP BONE?

Pronunciation: [stˈɪɹʌp bˈə͡ʊn] (IPA)

The stirrup bone, also known as stapes, is located in the middle ear and transmits sound waves from the eardrum to the inner ear. This small, stirrup-shaped bone gets its name from its appearance and role in the hearing process. In terms of pronunciation, "stirrup bone" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈstɪrəp boʊn/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "st" sound is pronounced as a cluster blend, while the final "e" in "stirrup" is silent.

STIRRUP BONE Meaning and Definition

1. A stirrup bone refers to a small, stirrup-shaped bone located in the inner ear of vertebrates, specifically mammals. Also known as the stapes, it is one of the three tiny ossicles found in the middle ear, alongside the malleus (hammer) and incus (anvil). The stirrup bone is regarded as the smallest of the three ossicles and plays a significant role in transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea within the inner ear.

   Typically positioned between the incus and the oval window of the cochlea, the stirrup bone is responsible for amplifying the vibrations received by the eardrum. When sound waves reach the eardrum, they cause it to vibrate, which, in turn, sets off a chain reaction involving the ossicles. The stirrup bone's movement amplifies and converts these sound vibrations into fluid movement within the cochlea, stimulating sensory cells and initiating the hearing process.

   The stirrup bone's peculiar stirrup-like shape, resembling a horse's stirrup, led to its common name. Its size and structure are optimized for its function, featuring a thin and curved structure that efficiently transfers auditory signals. Without the stirrup bone, the process of sound transmission to the inner ear would be severely hindered, potentially leading to impaired hearing or reduced auditory sensitivity.

Etymology of STIRRUP BONE

The word "stirrup" in "stirrup bone" derives from the Middle English word "stirrup" or "stirpe", which ultimately came from the Old English word "stigrāp". This Old English term referred to a "climbing rope" or a "rope stirrup", which was used as a foothold to climb up onto a horse. It was called so because of its shape similar to a stirrup, which is a loop-like device attached to a saddle for supporting the rider's foot.

The word "bone" simply refers to the skeletal structure it is associated with, as the stirrup bone (also known as the stapes bone) is one of the three tiny bones located in the middle ear of mammals, connecting the eardrum to the inner ear.