The stapes is not just the smallest bone in the human body—it’s also one of the most important. Though it’s no bigger than a grain of rice, its job in hearing is massive. The stapes is the smallest and lightest bone in the human body , and it is one of the three auditory ossicles located in the middle ear. Shaped like a stirrup, the stapes consists of a head, neck, two limbs (anterior and posterior crura), and a base called the footplate. It plays a crucial role in sound transmission by connecting the middle ear to the inner ear. The stapes is essential for transferring sound vibrations into the cochlea for further processing. What is the smallest bone in the human body and where is it located? The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes, which is located in the middle ear. It’s one of three tiny bones known as the ossicles, which also include the malleus and the incus. The stapes or stirrup is a bone in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations to the inner ear. It is the smallest and lightest bone in the human body , measuring about 2 to 3 mm, and is connected to the incus and the oval window.
