ossicle

Definition

A small bone (or bony structure), especially one of the three of the middle ear.

Etymology

Late 16th century, from Latin ossiculum (“little bone, ossicle”) from os (“bone”).

Example Sentences

• "The incus is one of the three auditory ossicles."
• "The skeleton of echinoderms is made of ossicles, linked to each other via muscles and connective tissue."
• "The eyeballs were surrounded by a ring of bones, the sclerotic ossicle, which probably protected their eyes when diving abruptly for prey."