Tympanic cavity
| Tympanic cavity | |
|---|---|
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| The cochlea and vestibule, viewed from above. (Tympanic cavity labeled at upper right.) | |
| 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 recess, an expansion of the first pharyngeal pouch.
On its lateral surface, it abuts the external auditory meatus from which it is separated by the tympanic membrane (eardrum).
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[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
[edit] Additional images
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External and middle ear, opened from the front. Right side.
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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
- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tympanic+cavity
- http://education.yahoo.com/reference/gray/subjects/subject/230
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