哺乳动物的听小骨进化过程被认为是生物进化过程中最完备[1] 也是最重要的事件之一。这个进化事件的过程展现了大量的演变过程，并成为预适应和已有结构再作用的最佳范例。
在爬行动物中, 耳鼓与内耳是通过一根骨头（鼻小柱）连接在一起的，爬行动物上下颚之间的多块骨头在哺乳动物中没有发现。在哺乳动物进化的过程中，其中一块上颚骨（方块骨）和一块下颚骨（关节骨）失去了功用，但是被中耳借用来与镫骨连接，形成了一串三个用来放大声音的听小骨。在哺乳动物中，这三块骨头叫做锤骨、砧骨和镫骨。
- Allin EF, Hopson JA. Chapter 28: Evolution of the Auditory System in Synapsida ("Mammal-Like Reptiles" and Primitive Mammals) as Seen in the Fossil Record. Popper AN, Webster DB, Fay RR (编). The Evolutionary biology of hearing. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 1992: 587–614. ISBN 0-387-97588-8.
- Anthwal, Neal; Joshi, Leena; Tucker, Abigail S. Evolution of the mammalian middle ear and jaw: adaptations and novel structures. Journal of Anatomy. 2012, 221 (1): 1–96. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01526.x.
- Asher, Robert J. Evolution and belief: confessions of a religious paleontologist. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press. 2012: 93–110, 196–200. ISBN 9780521193832.
- Rosowski JJ. Chapter 29: Hearing in Transitional Mammals: Predictions from the Middle-Ear Anatomy and Hearing Capabilities of Extant Mammals. Popper AN, Webster DB, Fay RR (编). The Evolutionary biology of hearing. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 1992: 615–632. ISBN 0-387-97588-8.
- Gould SJ. Chapter 6: An Earful of Jaw. Eight Little Piggies: reflections in natural history. New York: Norton. 1993. ISBN 0-393-03416-X.
- Hopson JA. The mammal-like reptiles: a study of transitional fossils. The American Biology Teacher. January 1987, 49 (1): 16–26. JSTOR 4448410. doi:10.2307/4448410.
- Luo, Zhe-Xi, Kielan-Jaworowska Z, Cifelli RL. Chapter 3: Origin of mammals. Mammals from the age of dinosaurs: origins, evolution, and structure. New York: Columbia University Press. 2004. ISBN 0-231-11918-6.
- Luo, Zhe-Xi. Developmental Patterns in Mesozoic Evolution of Mammal Ears. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 2011, 42: 355–380 [2013-07-26]. doi:10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-032511-142302. （原始内容存档于2019-05-18）.
- Manley GA, Sienknecht UJ. Chapter 2: The Evolution and Development of Middle Ears in Land Vertebrates. Puria S, Fay RR, Popper AN (编). The Middle Ear: Science, Otosurgery, and Technology. Springer Handbook of Auditory Research 46. New York: Springer. 2013: 7–30. ISBN 978-1-4614-6590-4. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6591-1_2.
- Rougier GW, White JR. Chapter 6: Major Changes in the Ear Region and Basicranium of Early Mammals. Carrano MT, Gaudin TJ, Blob RW, Wible JR (编). Amniote paleobiology: perspectives on the evolution of mammals, birds, and reptiles: a volume honoring James Allen Hopson. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 2006: 269–311. ISBN 0-226-09477-4.
- Shubin N. Chapter 10: Ears. Your inner fish: a journey into the 3. 5-billion-year history of the human body. New York: Pantheon Books. 2008. ISBN 0-375-42447-4.
