AUDITORY OSSICLES OV A SVNOTIC CYCI.OPIAN I.AMB. 89 



slightly more elongated than usual. On the right 

 side the hyoid cartilage is attached somewhat 

 farther forward than usual, and the stapes, quite 

 abnormal in shape, has its head attached to the side 

 of the hyoid cartilage. The base of the stapes is 

 rounded, and being smaller than normal, lies loosely 

 in the fenestra ovalis. The crura are united to 

 form an elongated cylindrical body about ^y inch in 

 length. The head is of considerable size and flat- 

 tened-out, clasps the hyoid cartilage, passing chiefly 

 to the inside. 



As the stapes is in its normal situation and has no 

 connection with the incus, either the stapes has 

 been formed apart from the incus or the incus has 

 been displaced after the formation of the stapes ; 

 but since the incudes and mallei are closely united 

 near the middle line, and since from the mode of 

 union of the mallei being such that there can never 

 have been a wide separation of these bones, one is 

 forced to admit the former of the two views as alone 

 tenable, viz., that the stapes has been formed in the 

 fenestra ovalis and apart from the incus. Although 

 on the right side there is a connection between the 

 stapes and the hyoid cartilage, this would appear to 

 be secondary, since the stapes has had its head 

 shaped to suit the previously formed hyoid cartilage. 

 On this side the stapes has come into contact with 

 the hyoid, owing to the hyoid being slightly displaced. 

 On the other side there is no connection whatever 

 between the stapes and hyoid arch. 



The position of the incus would at first sight seem 

 to imply that it had been formed in connection with 

 the malleus ; but from the hyoid arch being slightly 

 abnormal in its attachment to the cranium, while 

 the rest of the arch is perfectly normal, it is probable 

 that this slight alteration in position is due to the 

 upper end of the hyoid having been early displaced 

 by having been connected with the abnoi'mally 

 placed malleus through the incus, and, after separat- 

 ing from the incus, being unable to attach itself 



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