tympanic membrane

Definition: a thin tense membrane forming the greater part of the lateral wall of the tympanic cavity and separating it from the external acoustic meatus; it constitutes the boundary between the external and middle ears; it is a trilaminar membrane covered with skin on its external surface, mucosa in its internal surface, is covered on both surfaces with epithelium, and, in the tense part, has an intermediate layer of outer radial and inner circular collagen fibers.

Synonym(s): membrana tympaniTA, drum membrane, drum, drumhead, eardrum, membrane of tympanum, myringa, myrinx

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