The tympanic cavity is a small cavity surrounding the bones of the inner ear. It is formed from the tubotympanic sulcus, an expansion of the first pharyngeal pouch. It is mostly surrounded by the bony labyrinth, except on its lateral surface, where it abuts the external auditory meatus to form the tympanic membrane. The ossicles (also called auditory ossicles) are the three smallest bones in the human body. ... For an alternative meaning, see ear (botany). ... Anatomy of the human ear. ... The tympanum or tympanic membrane, colloquially known as eardrum, is a thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. ...
The tympaniccavity is bounded laterally by the tympanic membrane; medially, by the lateral wall of the internal ear; it communicates, behind, with the tympanic antrum and through it with the mastoid air cells, and in front with the auditory tube (Fig.
The cavity in the pyramidal eminence is prolonged downward and backward in front of the facial canal, and communicates with it by a minute aperture which transmits a twig from the facial nerve to the Stapedius muscle.
It begins in the carotid wall of the tympaniccavity, below the septum canalis musculotubarii, and, gradually narrowing, ends at the angle of junction of the squama and the petrous portion of the temporal bone, its extremity presenting a jagged margin which serves for the attachment of the cartilaginous portion.
The facial nerve (CN VII) by the branches from the tympanic plexus.
The tympaniccavity is lined with mucous membrane that is continuous with the mucous membrane of the auditory tube, mastoid cells, and aditus ad antrum.
The internal jugular vein and the internal carotid artery diverge at the floor of the tympaniccavity.
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