Which statement about the ossicles of the middle ear is correct?

• A The incus is the lightest and smallest ossicle
• B The stapes weighs approximately 25 mg and is the largest ossicle
• C The malleus is the smallest ossicle but the heaviest
• D The stapes is the smallest and lightest ossicle, weighing approximately 3 mg ✓

Explanation

The stapes measures roughly 3 mm and weighs about 3 mg, making it both the smallest and lightest ossicle in the body. The malleus is the heaviest ossicle at around 23 mg, and the incus is intermediate in weight. Option A reverses the facts about the incus, and option B assigns the weight of the malleus to the stapes, which kills both distractors.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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