Explore the ossicular chain in 3D
From the eardrum to the inner ear: unequal lever arms transmit sound force.
Unable to load the 3D view. View the ossicular chain in 2D
Drag to rotate; scroll or pinch to zoom. Double-click to reset the view. Adjust sound level with the slider below.
Tympanic membrane → malleus → incus → stapes (accent color) → footplate → inner ear (cochlea and round window).
The tympanic membrane attaches along the malleus handle. Fibers from each cochlear turn enter the translucent modiolus, leave its base as a cochlear nerve bundle and descend to the support socket. The socket supports the model; it is not an anatomical nerve ending. Softer sound increases firing intervals and makes particles sparser; particle speed stays constant.
Effective tympanic-membrane area 55 mm² / footplate 3.2 mm². Area ratio 17.2 × lever ratio 1.3 = pressure ratio 22.3 (theoretical gain +27.0 dB).
Actual amplitudes are measured in nanometers. Motion is enlarged and scaled to logarithmic sound level. Inner-ear waves and pulses are illustrative, not a reproduction of electrical signals.
Louder sound increases brightness and the highlighted area (schematic). The light 2D theme uses darker ink for emphasis. Wave speed is independent of sound level. Speed, brightness, spread and frequency are illustrative, not a detailed physiological simulation.
The 3D display is mirrored to match the initial 2D view. It does not establish left- or right-ear anatomical orientation.