malleus malleus the malleus, or hammer, is a hammer-shaped small bone or ossicle of the middle ear. it connects with the incus, and is attached to the inner surface of the eardrum. the word is latin for 'hammer' or 'mallet'. it transmits the sound vibrations from the eardrum to the incus (anvil). malleusleft malleus. a. from behind. b. from within.the right membrana tympani with the hammer and the chorda tympani, viewed from within, from behind, and from above (malleus visible at center)detailspronunciation/ˈmæliəs/precursor1st branchial archpart ofmiddle earsystemauditory systemidentifierslatinmalleusmeshd008307ta98a15.3.02.043ta2881fma52753anatomical terms of bone this article is one of a series documenting the anatomy of thehuman ear outer ear auricle ear canal middle ear tympanic membrane ossicles malleus incus stapes inner ear vestibules utricle saccule cochlea semicircular canals structure