What is the tympanic membrane also known as?

The tympanic membrane is commonly referred to as the eardrum. This thin, cone-shaped membrane plays a crucial role in the auditory system by vibrating in response to sound waves, which then transmits these vibrations to the bones of the middle ear. The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear, acting as a barrier while also facilitating the process of hearing.

Understanding the terminology within the anatomy of the ear is important, as it helps clarify the functions and locations of various components. The other terms, such as inner ear, auditory canal, and middle ear, refer to different parts of the ear that serve distinct purposes in the hearing process. The inner ear is responsible for balance and converting sound vibrations into nerve signals; the auditory canal is the passage that leads sound waves to the eardrum; and the middle ear contains the ossicles, which transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.