stapedius

The stapedius muscle is the tiny muscle in the middle ear that attaches to the posterior aspect of the neck of the stapes, which when contracted dampens vibrations passed to the cochlea via the oval window. The muscle is anchored within the petrous temporal bone and emerges anteriorly into the mesotympanum from the hollow of the pyramidal process. It is supplied by a small branch from the facial nerve.

Related pathology

Paralysis of this muscle leads to a hypersensitivity to loud noises (hyperacusis).

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