Why was the stirrup bone names a stirrup?

The stirrup bone is named after the stirrup part of a saddle, also known as the "stirrup iron". The name "stirrup" is derived from its resemblance to the metal part of a saddle used for supporting a rider's foot. The stirrup bone, also referred to as the stapes or the stapedial bone, is one of the three smallest bones in the human body, located in the middle ear. Due to its unique shape, which is similar to the stirrup part of a saddle, it adopted the name "stirrup bone" to describe its structure and function.