The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes , also known as the stirrup bone due to its shape. It is one of the three tiny bones in the middle ear called the ossicles, which also include the malleus (hammer) and incus (anvil). The stapes measures about 2 to 3 millimeters in length and is the lightest bone in the body

. The stapes plays a crucial role in hearing by transmitting sound vibrations from the incus to the inner ear's cochlea, enabling the brain to process sound

. It is connected to the oval window of the cochlea by an annular ligament and works with the other ossicles to amplify sound vibrations efficiently

. In summary:

• Smallest bone: Stapes (stirrup)
• Location: Middle ear
• Size: Approximately 2–3 mm in length
• Function: Transmits and amplifies sound vibrations to the inner ear

This bone is essential for normal hearing, and damage or malformation can lead to hearing loss, though surgical repair is possible