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What gives the tympanic membrane its tension and stiffness?

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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. — human ear Structure of the human ear.

The tension and stiffness of the tympanic membrane are primarily provided by a middle layer of fibrous tissue, which is composed of both circular and radial fibers.1

Additionally, the tension of the membrane can be actively maintained or increased by the tensor tympani muscle. This muscle attaches to the handle of the malleus, which is itself adhered to the eardrum; when the tensor tympani contracts, it pulls the malleus inward, thereby increasing the tension of the membrane.23