Anthropometry of the malleus in humans: A direct anatomic study

Morphometric knowledge of middle ear structures, including each of the oscicles, is important for the understanding of its biomechanics complexity. The structural and dimensional characteristics of the malleus are registered in 23 samples of Colombian adult mestizo population. Registered measures involve the area of the head, neck, the manubrium, the anterior and lateral process and the area of the incudo-maleolar joint. Three of nineteen records taken in this study could be carefully compared to other studies, which showed similarities. The total length of the malleus was 8,18 mm SD 0.24, the length of the handle was 4.91 mm SD 0.25 and the ratio of the length of the manubrium and the malleus total length was 60,11% of 3.47. In accordance with the studied population, individual or paired variations were not found in the anatomy of the malleus that makes it a morphometrically uniform and stable bone.