noun
anvil
A small middle-ear bone that transmits vibrations from the hammer to the stirrup.
The diagram places the anvil between two other middle-ear bones.
Etymology
The older word names a smith’s working block. The small ear bone receives its everyday name from its resemblance to that tool; the neighboring bones are also named by shape.
More examples
- Vibrations pass through the anvil toward the stirrup.
- The surgeon examines the tiny anvil.
- The model shows how the hammer connects to the anvil.
Forms
anvil · anvils
Similar words
- incus
- The anatomical name for exactly the same bone.