The MALLEUS is a hammer-shaped bone located in the middle ear. It is one of the three ossicles, or small bones, that are part of the auditory system. The MALLEUS is connected to the incus and the stapes, which together form the chain of ossicles that transmit sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. The MALLEUS is the first bone in the chain and is responsible for transmitting sound vibrations from the eardrum to the other two ossicles.