7. Tympanic membrane (lecture)

Question 1

what are the different components of the tympanic membrane?

Answer 1

cone of light
umbo
handle of malleus
pars flaccida
parsa temsa
long process of incus

Question 2

what is the cone of light?

Answer 2

the part of the tympanic membrane which you see during otoscopic view

Question 3

what is the pars flaccida?

Answer 3

attic
loose tissue above malleus
less stretched than and top of parsa tensa

Question 4

what is the handle of malleus attached to?

Answer 4

tympanic membrane

Question 5

what is the parsa tensa?

Answer 5

taut surface area around handle of malleus

part most stretched

Question 6

function of the parsa tensa?

Answer 6

vibrates as airwaves hit eardrum (tympanic membrane)

Question 7

how should a normal tympanic membrane appear?

Answer 7

pearly, translucent, fibrous membrane

Question 8

what is the umbo?

Answer 8

small projection at the tip of Malleus

Question 9

what are abnormalities of the tympanic membrane?

Answer 9

perforation

bulging secondary to otitis media

Question 10

how can perforation of the tympanic membrane occur?

Answer 10

e.g. from cotton bud (‘cleaning’ ears)

pressure from infection - build up of exudate (pus)

Question 11

how can bulging of the tympanic membrane secondary to otitis media occur?

Answer 11

from middle ear infection

can possibly be from upper respiratory tract infection (eustachian tube, middle ear to posterior nasopharynx)

Question 12

what parts of the ear is involved in hearing?

Answer 12

external, middle and cochlear part of inner ear

Question 13

which part of the ear is involved with balance / equilibrium?

Answer 13

vestibular apparatus within inner ear

Question 14

function of external and middle ear?

Answer 14

convey sound vibration from environment towards the inner ear

Question 15

function of inner ear in hearing?

Answer 15

conveys vibration from external and middle ear into AP generated in CN VIII