%0 Journal Article
%A Quam, Rolf
%A Martínez Mendizábal, Ignacio
%A Arsuaga Ferreras, Juan Luis
%T Reassessment of the La Ferrassie 3 Neandertal ossicular chain
%D 2013
%@ 0047-2484
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/44386
%X The ossicular chain in La Ferrassie 3 was briefly described in the monograph on the La Ferrassie Neandertalchildren, but to date has not been the subject of detailed study. We provide new data on theseimportant fossils and re-examine some previous suggestions of derived Neandertal features in themiddle ear ossicles based on more limited evidence. The malleus shows a curved lateral margin of themanubrium and a relatively large head. The incus shows a tall articular facet, a depressed area on themedial surface of the body, a straight anterior border of the long process and a more closed angle betweenthe processes. The stapes shows an asymmetrical configuration of the crura, with an anteriorlyskewed head, and generally small dimensions, including a smaller and relatively wider stapedial footplate.These same features can also be seen in the few other Neandertal ear ossicles known, suggestingthat a consistent anatomical pattern characterizes the Neandertal ossicular chain. While the phylogeneticpolarity of many of these features remains to be clarified, the asymmetrical stapes and anteriorly skewedstapedial head appear to be derived Neandertal features. In addition, while the larger malleus head andincus articular facet in La Ferrassie 3 might reflect larger body mass in Neandertals, the larger stapesfootplates in Homo sapiens cannot be explained by changes in body mass. Indeed, H. sapiens seems todepart from the general mammalian pattern in combining an increase in stapes footplate size witha decrease in body mass. Although the malleus/incus lever ratio in La Ferrassie 3 is similar to that inH. sapiens, Neandertals appear to be characterized by a slightly different spatial relationship and articulationof the ossicular chain within the tympanic cavity. While only limited inferences can be drawnregarding hearing ability based on the ossicles, the few physiologically relevant dimensions in the LaFerrassie 3 ear bones are similar to H. sapiens.
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