Tympanic cavity
The cochlea and vestibule, viewed from above. (Tympanic cavity labeled at upper right.)
Malleus Tensor Tympani Incus Stapedius Labyrinth Stapes Auditory Canal Tympanic Membrane (Ear Drum) Eustachian Tube Tympanic cavity
Bones and muscles in the tympanic cavity in the middle ear
Latin	cavitas tympani
Gray's	subject #230 1037
Artery	stylomastoid artery
Precursor	first pharyngeal pouch

The tympanic cavity is a small cavity surrounding the bones of the middle ear.

It is formed from the tubotympanic sulcus, an expansion of the first pharyngeal pouch.

It is mostly surrounded by the bony labyrinth, except on its lateral surface, where it abuts the external auditory meatus from which it is separated by the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

Contents 1 Clinical significance 2 See also 3 Additional images 4 External links

[edit] Clinical significance

If damaged, the tympanic membrane can be repaired in a procedure called tympanoplasty.

Should fluid accumulate within the middle ear as the result of infection or for some other reason, it can be drained by puncturing the tympanic membrane with a small bore needle (tympanocentesis).

[edit] See also

• Middle ear

[edit] Additional images

External and middle ear, opened from the front. Right side.

Horizontal section through left ear; upper half of section.

[edit] External links

• Tympanic+cavity at eMedicine Dictionary
• http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_44/44-5.HTM

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v • d • e Sensory system: Auditory and Vestibular systems (TA A15.3, GA 10.1029) Outer ear Pinna (Helix, Antihelix, Tragus, Antitragus, Earlobe) • Ear canal • Auricular muscles Eardrum (Umbo, Pars flaccida) Middle ear Tympanic cavity Labyrinthine wall/medial: Oval window · Round window • Secondary tympanic membrane • Prominence of facial canal • Promontory of tympanic cavity Membranous wall/lateral Mastoid wall/posterior: Mastoid cells • Aditus to mastoid antrum • Pyramidal eminence Carotid wall/anterior Tegmental wall/roof: Epitympanic recess Jugular wall/floor Ossicles Malleus (Neck of malleus, Superior ligament of malleus, Lateral ligament of malleus, Anterior ligament of malleus) · Incus (Superior ligament of incus, Posterior ligament of incus) · Stapes (Anular ligament of stapes) Muscles Stapedius · Tensor tympani Eustachian tube Bony part of pharyngotympanic tube · Cartilage of pharyngotympanic tube (Torus tubarius) Inner ear/ (membranous labyrinth, bony labyrinth) Auditory system Cochlear labyrinth General cochlea Scala vestibuli • Helicotrema • Scala tympani • Modiolus • Cochlear cupula Perilymphatic space Perilymph • Cochlear aqueduct Cochlear duct / scala media Reissner's/vestibular membrane • Basilar membrane Endolymph • Stria vascularis • Spiral ligament Organ of Corti: Stereocilia • Tectorial membrane • Sulcus spiralis (externus, internus) • Spiral limbus Vestibular system/ Vestibular labyrinth Static/translations/vestibule/endolymphatic duct: Utricle (Macula) · Saccule (Macula, Endolymphatic sac) · Kinocilium · Otolith • Vestibular aqueduct • Canalis reuniens Kinetic/rotations: Semicircular canals (Superior, Posterior, Horizontal) • Ampullary cupula • Ampullae (Crista ampullaris) ear navs: anat/pathways/physio/dev, noncongen/congen, eponymous signs, proc