The middle ear is composed of three tiny bones: the malleus (or hammer), incus (or anvil), and stapes (or stirrup). These bones carry and increase the amplitude of sound from the eardrum to the inner ear. They are found in the tympanic cavity of the temporal bone. When assembled to reflect their formation, they are small enough to fit on a fingernail. Ossicles are shipped embedded in a custom made foam insert inside a clear plastic petri dish. Ossicles can be removed easily.