Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A muscle of the tympanic cavity, in the
ear .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a small muscle in the middle ear that tenses to protect the eardrum
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biocon commented on the word tensor tympani
Tensor tympani originates in the cartilaginous part of the auditory tube (eustachian tube) and the walls of its hemi-canal immediately above the bony portion of the auditory tube, and inserts on the handle of malleus. Action: drawing the handle of the malleus medialward, tensing the tympanic membrane to protect it from excessive vibration by loud sounds. Nerve supply: branches of the trigeminal nerve through the otic ganglion. Synonym: musculus tensor tympani, tensor muscle of tympanic membrane, Toynbee's muscle.
July 31, 2011