Tympanum (anatomy)

For other uses, see Tympanum (disambiguation).

A circular tympanum near the eye of a male North American bullfrog.

The tympanum is an external hearing structure in animals such as frogs, toads, insects, and mammals, to name a few.

Anurans

In frogs and toads, it is located just behind the eye. It does not actually process sound waves; it simply transmits them to the amphibian's inner ear, which is protected from water and other foreign objects.

See also

• Frog
• Eardrum
• Tympanal organ in insects