Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Stapes


Sta′pes

(stā′pēz)
,
Noun.
[LL., a stirrup.]
(Anat.)
The innermost of the ossicles of the ear; the stirrup, or stirrup bone; – so called from its form. See Illust. of
Ear
.

Definition 2024


stapes

stapes

English

Location of the stapes

Noun

stapes (plural stapes or stapedes)

  1. (anatomy) A small stirrup-shaped bone of the middle ear.
    • 2010, Elaine N. Marieb & Katja Hoehn, Human Anatomy & Physiology, 8th edition, page 576
      The tympanic cavity is spanned by the three smallest bones in the body: the auditory ossicles [] These bones, named for their shape, are the malleus (malʹe-us; "hammer"); the incus (ingʹkus; "anvil"); and the stapes (staʹpēz; "stirrup"). The "handle" of the malleus is secured to the eardrum, and the base of the stapes fits into the oval window.

Synonyms

  • (bone in the middle ear): stirrup

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Anagrams


French

Noun

stapes m (plural stapes)

  1. stapes

Synonyms

Anagrams


Latin

stapēs ferreus (iron stirrup)

Alternative forms

  • stapia (rare)

Etymology

From a Germanic source, possibly Frankish *stap or Old High German stapf, staph (step, stirrup), both from Proto-Germanic *stapiz (a step, rung (of a ladder)). More at step.

Alternatively: Late Latin; possibly from stō (I stand) + pēs (foot).

Pronunciation

Noun

stapēs m (genitive stapedis); third declension

  1. stirrup
    • De Tribus Columnis Juis Secundum Powissienses, Book II, section xvi, para. 8
      [] [quidam duos stapedes et tres cingulas una cum sella annumerant, alii his singulis pretium legitimum assignant, id est, stapedibus auratis]
      [] some two stirrups and three belts with a chair are paid out, all assigned a single worth, that is, golden stirrups
  2. (anatomy) stapes (bone in the middle ear)

Inflection

Third declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative stapēs stapedēs
genitive stapedis stapedum
dative stapedī stapedibus
accusative stapedem stapedēs
ablative stapede stapedibus
vocative stapēs stapedēs

Descendants

References