tympanic membrane

(anatomy) The membrane separating the external from the middle ear. Also known as eardrum; tympanum.

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The eardrum, a tight membrane separating the outer ear and middle ear, and connected to the ear bones, which vibrates when sound pressure waves pass along the outer ear towards the middle ear.

A thin, semitransparent membrane in the middle ear that transmits sound vibrations to the internal ear by the means of the auditory ossicles. Also called the eardrum.