Editing Stapes (section)

===Variation===
The ''stapes'' appears to be relatively constant in size in different ethnic groups.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Arensburg |first1=B. |last2=Harell |first2=M. |last3=Nathan |first3=H. |title=The human middle ear ossicles: Morphometry, and taxonomic implications |journal=Journal of Human Evolution |date=February 1981 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=199–205 |doi=10.1016/S0047-2484(81)80018-8|bibcode=1981JHumE..10..199A }}</ref> In 0.01–0.02% of people, the stapedial artery does not regress, and persists in the central foramen.<ref name=MUTLU1998>{{cite journal |last1=Mutlu |first1=C. |last2=da Costa |first2=S. S. |author3=Paparella, MM |author4=Schachern, Pennsylvania |title=Clinical-histopathological correlations of pitfalls in middle ear surgery. |journal=European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology |year=1998 |volume=255 |issue=4 |pages=189–194 |pmid=9592676 |doi=10.1007/s004050050041|s2cid=25682582 }}</ref> In this case, a pulsatile sound may be heard in the affected ear, or there may be no symptoms at all.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Silbergleit |first1=R. |last2=Quint |first2=D. J. |last3=Mehta |first3=B. A. |last4=Patel |first4=S. C. |last5=Metes |first5=J. J. |last6=Noujaim |first6=S. E. |title=The persistent stapedial artery |journal=American Journal of Neuroradiology|date=Mar 2000 |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=572–577 |pmid=10730654|pmc=8174972 }}</ref> Rarely, the ''stapes'' may be completely absent.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Reiber |first1=M. |last2=Schwaber |first2=M. |title=Congenital absence of stapes and facial nerve dehiscence |journal=Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery |date=February 1997 |volume=116 |issue=2 |pages=278 |doi=10.1016/S0194-5998(97)70343-7 |pmid=9051082|s2cid=33351053 }}</ref><ref name=TMS2008 />{{rp|262}}