File:Gray0916.jpg

Fig. 916 Middle Ear - Malleus

Left malleus. A. From behind. B. From within.

• named from its fancied resemblance to a hammer
• consists of a head, neck, and three processes
  • the manubrium, the anterior and lateral processes

Hearing - Middle Ear Development

Head (capitulum mallei)

• large upper extremity of the bone
• oval in shape
• articulates posteriorly with the incus
• being free in the rest of its extent
• facet for articulation with the incus is constricted near the middle
  • consists of an upper larger and lower smaller part
  • form nearly a right angle with each other.
• opposite the constriction
  • lower margin of the facet projects in the form of a process (cog-tooth or spur of the malleus)

Neck (collum mallei)

• narrow contracted part
• just beneath the head
• below it is a prominence
  • which the various processes are attached

Handle (manubrium mallei)

• connected by its lateral margin with the tympanic membrane
• directed downward, medialward, and backward
• decreases in size toward its free end, which is curved slightly forward, and flattened transversely
• medial side, near its upper end, is a slight projection, into which the tendon of the tensor tympani is inserted

Anterior Process (processus anterior [Folii]; processus gracilis)

• delicate spicule from the eminence below the neck
• directed forward to the petrotympanic fissure
• to which it is connected by ligamentous fibers

In the fetus this is the longest process of the malleus, and is in direct continuity with Meckel's cartilage.

Lateral Process (processus lateralis; processus brevis)

• a slight conical projection from the root of the manubrium
• directed laterally, and is attached to the upper part of the tympanic membrane
• by means of the anterior and posterior malleolar folds, to the extremities of the notch of Rivinus.

(text modified from Gray's Anatomy)

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iTunes link | iBooks Store Description - an extract of the embryology content from Anatomy of the Human Body By Henry Gray Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918. Releases First Edition - Jan 2012 Second Edition - March 2012 Repaired formatting and image display issues related to Pad rotated display and minor editing issues. Print length 169 pages, 41.6 MB, Language English. The current website also includes numerous images from this textbook, see Anatomy of the Human Body by Henry Gray and Category:Gray's 1918 Anatomy. Note the also Historic Disclaimer.

Reference

Gray H. Anatomy of the human body. (1918) Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger.

Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, April 23) Embryology Gray0916.jpg. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/File:Gray0916.jpg

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Development

Human malleus development timing:^[1]

• 16 weeks - two cortical fascicles situated in the neck
• 21 weeks - fascicles extend towards the head
• 23 weeks - extend towards to the lateral process
• 24 weeks - extend towards to the handle
• 29 weeks - in the handle force lines are transmitted via three cardinal fascicles (two of them via the cortical fascicle and one via the centre)
• 31 weeks - consolidated by this time