Tympanic membrane Flashcards
What structures does the tympanic membrane separate?
The external ear from the middle ear
What is the tympanic membrane made of?
A fibrous structure- externally it is covered by skin- internally it is covered in a mucous membrane that lines the middle ear
What structures can be seen on the tympanic membrane?
umbo, pars flaccida, pars tensa, posterior & anterior mallear folds
What is the umbo
the depression which marks the site of the handle of the malleus
What is the pars flaccida?
The thin part of the membrane located superior to the lateral process of the malleus between the mallear folds
What is the pars tensa?
forms the majority of the membrane, it is pulled inwards by the tensor tympani muscle
What are the anterior & posterior mallear folds
fibrous thickenings that extend from the lateral process of the malleus to the tympanic bone
Where does the external surface of the tympanic membrane receive sensory innervation from?
auricotemporal nerve (branch of V3) with supplementation from auricular branch of vagus nerve
Where does the internal surface of the tympanic membrane receive sensory innervation from?
The glossopharyngeal nerve
