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Other Terms: Musculus stapedius, Muscle stapédien
Latin muscle parts
Branchial arch muscle – second arch (Muscle of auditory ossicles)
The English name for this muscle is the stirrup muscle, because of its distinct resemblance to a stirrup. The Latin word stapes means “stirrup” and is derived from the Latin stares meaning “to stand” and pes meaning “foot.”
Conical cavity of the pyramidal eminence of the tympanic cavity
Posterior side of the stapes neck
The stapedius and tensor tympani work together in a reflexive action to reduce the vibratory activity of the ear ossicles in the response to high intensity sounds. The stapedius muscle pulls the stapes away from the oval window as the tensor tympani attempts to push the stapes into the oval window. These antagonistic actions stabilize the stapes and lessen its vibratory effects at the oval window.
Facial nerve (Cranial nerve VII)
Carotid branches of the external carotid artery tympanic branch of the petrous part of the internal carotid artery and the anterior tympanic branch of the maxillary artery.