Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear and vibrates in response to sound waves. These vibrations are then transmitted to the bones of the middle ear.
Related terms
Auditory Ossicles: Three small bones in the middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes) that transmit sound vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear.
Sound Waves: Vibrations of air particles that travel through the environment and are the basis for hearing when they reach our ears.
Eustachian Tube: A canal that connects the middle ear to the throat and helps equalize pressure on both sides of the tympanic membrane