AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam 2026 – Complete All-in-One Guide for Exam Success

The stapes, one of the three ossicles in the middle ear, is specifically designed to cover the oval window, which is the membrane that leads to the inner ear. The stapes has a unique stirrup-like shape and is connected to the incus on one end and fits into the oval window on the other. This positioning is critical because it transmits sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane (eardrum) through the ossicular chain into the cochlea of the inner ear, where the vibrations are transformed into neural signals for hearing.

The malleus and incus are also important components of the auditory system; however, they do not interact directly with the oval window. The tensor tympani is a muscle associated with the malleus that helps dampen loud sounds but does not cover or interact with the oval window. Understanding the anatomy and function of the stapes is essential for comprehending how sound is transmitted from the outer ear to the inner ear.