A thin membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear, consisting of two epithelia (one part of the the external accoustic meatus epithelium, the other part of the tympanic cavity epithelium) with a fibrous layer between them. 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. [WP,unvetted]. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tympanic_membrane http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11237469 ]
Synonyms: Rivinus' membrane myrinx paries membranaceus cavi tympani membranous wall of tympanic cavity eardrum ear drum lateral wall of tympanic cavity
Term information
- EMAPA:19062
- MESH:D014432
- XAO:0000212
- MA:0000257
- Wikipedia:Tympanic_membrane
- SCTID:181180005
- FMA:9595
- NCIT:C12502
- GAID:870
- VHOG:0001146
uberon_slim, pheno_slim, organ_slim
Term relations
- membrane organ
- has part some outer epithelial layer of tympanic membrane
- overlaps some external acoustic meatus
- contributes to morphology of some middle ear
- overlaps some external ear
- has part some inner epithelial layer of tympanic membrane
- develops from some pharyngeal membrane of 1st arch
- has part some intermediate layer of tympanic membrane
- adjacent to some tympanic cavity
- part of some middle ear