The mammalian middle ear comprises a chain of three ossicles—the malleus, incus, and stapes—each of which has a unique morphology for efficiently transmitting sound information. In particular, the stapes, which is attached to the inner ear, is stirrup‐shaped with a head and base connected by two crural arches, forming the stapedial foramen, through which the stapedial artery passes. However, how the stapes acquires this critical stirrup shape for association with the stapedial artery during development is not clear.

中文翻译：

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在哺乳动物中耳发育过程中，马镫状镫骨形成需要 CXCL12。

哺乳动物的中耳由三个听小骨组成——锤骨、砧骨和镫骨——每一个都具有独特的形态，可以有效地传递声音信息。特别是与内耳相连的镫骨呈马镫状，头部和基部由两个足弓连接，形成镫骨孔，镫骨动脉通过。然而，镫骨在发育过程中如何获得这种与镫骨动脉相关的关键马镫形状尚不清楚。