Eardrum

Eardrum
Anatomy of the human ear.
Right tympanic membrane as seen through a speculum.
Latin membrana tympani
Gray's subject #230 1039
MeSH Tympanic+Membrane+Lydia
Dorlands/Elsevier Tympanic membrane

The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is a thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear in humans and other tetrapods. Its function is to transmit sound from the air to the ossicles inside the middle ear. The malleus bone bridges the gap between the eardrum and the other ossicles. Rupture or perforation of the eardrum can lead to conductive hearing loss. Collapse or retraction of the ear drum can also cause conductive hearing loss or even cholesteatoma.

Contents

Intentional rupture

The Bajau people of the Pacific intentionally rupture their eardrums at an early age in order to facilitate diving and hunting at sea. Many older Bajau therefore have difficulties hearing.[1]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Guardian

External links

Outer ear
Middle ear
Inner ear/
(membranous labyrinth,
bony labyrinth)
General cochlea
Cells

M: EAR

anat(e/p)/phys/devp

noco/cong, epon

proc, drug(S2)