Tympanum

Definition

The tympanum, or eardrum, is a thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves, facilitating hearing by transmitting these vibrations to the auditory ossicles.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The tympanum is essential for converting sound waves into mechanical vibrations.
2. It serves as a barrier protecting the middle and inner ear from foreign objects and pathogens.
3. Damage to the tympanum can result in hearing loss or infections like otitis media.
4. The tympanic membrane consists of three layers: an outer epithelial layer, a fibrous middle layer, and an inner mucosal layer.
5. Proper functioning of the tympanum is crucial for maintaining equalized pressure between the outer and middle ear via the Eustachian tube.

Review Questions

• What role does the tympanum play in the process of hearing?
• How does damage to the tympanum affect hearing function?
• Describe the structural composition of the tympanic membrane.

Related terms

Cochlea: A spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure in the inner ear responsible for converting mechanical vibrations into neural signals.

Auditory Ossicles: Three small bones (malleus, incus, stapes) in the middle ear that transmit vibrations from the tympanum to the inner ear.

Eustachian Tube: A canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and helps equalize pressure on both sides of the eardrum.