Ear Muscles-pp5

Question 1

What are the names of the 3 middle ear ossicles that are located in the tympanic cavity? What type of joints connect the 3 ossicles? What connects the ossicles to the tympanic walls?

Answer 1

Malleus, Incus, and Stapes
Connected by synovial joints
Connected to the walls by joints (Two of which attach the malleus to the TMJ!)

Question 2

What is the origin, insertion, function, and innervation for the TENSOR TYMPANI muscle?

Answer 2

Ori: Auditory tube (cartilagenous and bony portions)
Ins: Handle of the Maleus
Fun: Dampens high intensity sound. Protect sensitive hair cells of the cochlea of the internal ear
Inn: Branch of V3

Question 3

What is the origin, insertion, function, and innervation for the STAPEDIUS muscle?

Answer 3

Ori: Pyramidal Eminence of tympanic cavity
Ins: Stapes
Fun: Dampens loud sound to protect sensitive hair cells of cochlea of the inner ear. Contracts reflexively in response to loud sounds AND just before we speak
Inn: Nerve to Stapedius from VII

Question 4

While the Stapedius and the Tensor Tympani play important roles in dampening loud sounds, what is the name of the ligament that also plays an important role in controlling loud sounds?

Answer 4

AML = Antereomaleomandibular Ligament