The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes, located in the middle ear. This tiny bone is about 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) long, shaped like a stirrup, and plays a critical role in the hearing process. The stapes conducts sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear, where they are converted into neural signals for the brain to interpret. Along with the malleus (hammer) and incus (anvil), the stapes is part of the ossicular chain, which amplifies and transmits sound. Its diminutive size is remarkable considering its vital function in human hearing.