Ossified pars articularis of the palatoquadrate cartilage.
Comment:
[homology-note] "According to this theory (Reichert-Gaupp theory), the mammalian stapes is derived from the reptilian columella, the incus from the quadrate and the malleus from the articular (...).[well established][VHOG]" xsd:string {date_retrieved="2012-09-17", external_class="VHOG:0000689", ontology="VHOG", source="DOI:10.1017/S0022215100009087 Gerrie J, The phylogeny of the mammalian tympanic cavity and auditory ossicles. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology (1948", source="http://bgee.unil.ch/"}; [taxon-note] "In snakes, the quadrate bone has become elongated and very mobile, and contributes greatly to their ability to swallow very large prey items. In mammals the articular and quadrate bones have migrated to the middle ear and are known as the malleus and incus." xsd:string {source="TAO:0000621"}