A Study of Morphometrical Analysis of Human Stapes Using Cadavers

The auditory ossicles (AO) transfer sound vibrations in the tympanic membrane (TM) from the middle ear to the inner ear. These ossicles (malleus, incus & stapes) can be found in the petrous part of the temporal bone (TB). In the TM they form a chain across the tympanic cavity. The present study was aimed at providing the morphometrical dimensions of the stapes among male Nigerian population and comparing the values obtained with previous studies. The study was carried out on 27 Stapes (R=10, L=17) from 20 adult male cadavers in various Anatomy Department in Nigerian Universities. Various measurements were taken with digital verneir caliper and weighed with Mettler Toledo weighing balance. This study revealed no statistical significant difference (p > 0.05) between morphometric parameters of the right and left bones. The precise dimensions of these ossicles have been obtained in this study among male Nigerian Population, which would be of great importance to the prostheticians in Nigeria.

Key Words: Morphometry, Human Stapes, Cadaver, Nigeria