tympanic membrane: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	eardrum • eardrum membrane

Photos and Videos

Cross-section diagram of the human ear showing the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, with labeled parts including the auricle, auditory canal, tympanic membrane, ossicles, cochlea, semicircular canals, and nerves.

Diagram of the human ear showing how sound waves travel through the outer ear and auditory canal to the tympanic membrane, causing vibrations in the ossicles, and then through the middle and inner ear, including the cochlea. Color-coded sections highlight the outer ear in orange, middle ear in pink, and inner ear in blue.

Black-and-white photo of a man in a suit plugging his ears with his fingers. An orange polka dot pattern is behind his head.

Watch sound wave vibrations in the tympanic membrane

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