The term 'Malleus' is a Latin word meaning 'HAMMER'. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *mel-, which also gave rise to the English word 'MAUL'. The malleus is one of the three ossicles in the middle ear, and is the smallest bone in the human body. It is also known as the HAMMER bone, due to its shape resembling that of a HAMMER. In addition, the malleus is the most commonly used tool for striking an anvil in blacksmithing.