The stapedius is the smallest skeletal muscle in the human body. At just over one millimeter in length, its purpose is to stabilize the smallest bone in the body, the [[stape]]s. {{::mastoidectomy3.jpg|}} CT: [[Chorda tympani]]; I: [[Incus]]; JB: [[Jugular bulb]]; LSC: [[Lateral semicircular canal]]; M: [[Malleus]]; PSC: [[Posterior semicircular canal]]; S: [[Stape]]s; SM: [[Stapedius muscle]]; SSC: [[Superior semicircular canal]]; VIIms: mastoid segment of [[VII cranial nerve]]; VIIts: tympanic segment of VII cranial nerve.