“…The IMJ connects the articular surfaces of the malleus and incus and has a twisted 41 saddle shape (Helmholtz 1863;Etholm and Belal, 1974;Sim and Puria, 2008). It has 42 previously been described in the literature as a synovial joint (diarthrodial joint/diarthrosis) 43 (Politzer, 1884;Harty, 1953Harty, , 1964Etholm and Belal, 1974;Schuknecht, 1974;Marquet, 44 1981; Hüttenbrink and Pfautsch, 1987;FICAT, 1998;Sim and Puria, 2008).…”