Anatomy and anthropometry of human stapes

Twelve human stapes from temporal bones fixed by formalin were extracted. Different dimensions were measured by an electronic microscope with an accuracy of μm. These dimensions were as follows: (1) maximum diameter of stapes head parallel to the axis of footplate, 1088 μm (range, 857–1277 μm); (2) distance of main nutritional foramen to head surface, 398 μm (range, 250–833 μm); (3) stapes head to shoulders, 757 μm (range, 571–1000 μm), head to foramen, 1047 μm (range, 785–1500 μm), and head to lateral surface of footplate, 2612 μm (range, 1892–3400 μm); (4) anterior crus width at shoulder, 398 μm (range, 333–500 μm); minimum width of anterior crus, 251 μm (range, 214–350 μm); (5) posterior crus width at shoulders, 386 μm (range, 285–600 μm); minimum width of posterior crus, 191 μm (range, 142–300 μm); (6) maximum width of footplate near anterior crus, 371 μm (range, 321–500 μm), maximum width of footplate near the posterior crus, 411 μm (range, 357–611 μm), minimum width of footplate, 228 μm (range, 178–388 μm); (7) maximum width of ossicle, 2298 μm (range, 1928–3050 μm); (8) angle between crura, 19.5° (range, 15–24°); and (9) diameter of foramen at the end of curve, 1343 μm (range, 1071–1888 μm).