What is the anatomy of the tympanic membrane?
The tympanic membrane is thin and semi-transparent with a pearly, gray appearance. It is composed of three layers: An outer, epithelial (ectodermal)layer; a middle, fibrous layer; and an inner, mucosal(endodermal) layer that is continuous with the squamous lining of the middle ear cavity.
What artery supplies the tympanic membrane?
The lateral surface of the tympanic membrane is supplied by the deep auricular branch of the maxillary artery. The medial surface is irrigated by the anterior tympanic artery, a branch of the maxillary artery, and the posterior tympanic artery, a branch of the posterior auricular artery.
Is the tympanic membrane vascular?
The most dorsal portion of the tympanic membrane is the pars flaccida, which is roughly triangular, thicker, more vascular, and flaccid when compared to the pars tensa (see Fig. 20-6, E).
What is the normal appearance of the tympanic membrane?
pearly grey
1) Color/shape-pearly grey, shiny, translucent, with no bulging or retraction. 2) Consistency – smooth.
What is the tympanic membrane also known as?
The tympanic membrane is a vital component of the human ear, and is more commonly known as the eardrum.
What does blood behind the tympanic membrane mean?
Ruptured eardrum: The eardrum is a membrane that protects the middle ear from bacteria. When this membrane tears, it can bleed. Loud noises, severe ear infections and trauma can all cause a perforated or ruptured eardrum.
What is the diameter of the tympanic membrane?
about 8–10 mm
The thin semitransparent tympanic membrane, or eardrum, which forms the boundary between the outer ear and the middle ear, is stretched obliquely across the end of the external canal. Its diameter is about 8–10 mm (about 0.3–0.4 inch), its shape that of a flattened cone with its apex directed inward.
How can you distinguish the right and left tympanic membrane?
The key difference between right and left tympanic membrane is that cone-shaped light reflection of the otoscope light is seen at the 4 o’clock to 5 o’clock position in the right tympanic membrane while cone-shaped light reflection of the otoscope light is seen at the 7 o’clock to 8 o’clock position in the left …
How do you describe the location of the tympanic membrane?
The membrane lies across the end of the external canal and looks like a flattened cone with its tip (apex) pointed inward. The edges are attached to a ring of bone, the tympanic annulus.
What is it called when you can hear your heartbeat in your ear?
What Is Pulsatile Tinnitus? People with pulsatile tinnitus often hear rhythmic thumping, whooshing or throbbing in one or both ears.
What is abnormal appearance of tympanic membrane?
An abnormal tympanic membrane may be retracted or bulging and immobile or poorly mobile to positive or negative air pressure. The color of the eardrum is of lesser importance than the position and mobility. The redness of the tympanic membrane alone does not suggest the diagnosis of acute otitis media (Tables 2 and 3).
What is the most common cause of a ruptured tympanic membrane?
An ear infection is the most common cause of a ruptured eardrum. This occurs when fluid collects in the middle ear, creating pressure that eventually leads to a burst eardrum.
What is the most common cause of perforation of the tympanic membrane?
Infection is the principal cause of tympanic membrane perforation (TMP). Acute infection of the middle ear may cause a relative ischemia in the drum concurrent with increased pressure in the middle ear space. This leads to a tear or rupture of the eardrum that is usually preceded by severe pain.
What does whooshing in ears mean?
When plaque hardens, it narrows the arteries and limits the flow of blood to the body, including in your ears, neck or head. This may cause you to hear the characteristic rhythmic thumping or whooshing sound of pulsatile tinnitus in one or both of your ears.
How do you assess tympanic membrane?
The otoscope exam helps to assess the condition of the external auditory canal (EAC), tympanic membrane (TM), and the middle ear. Mastering the otoscope exam leads to accurate diagnoses, allowing for targeted treatment and prevention of complications.
What does a bulging tympanic membrane indicate?
The presence of middle ear effusion (fluid) is indicated by fullness or bulging of the tympanic membrane, an air-fluid level behind the membrane, or fluid coming out of the ear (this means there is a perforation). Sometimes one just sees droplets of fluid behind the ear drum.
What happens when tympanic membrane rupture?
A ruptured eardrum (tympanic membrane perforation) is a hole or tear in the thin tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear (eardrum). A ruptured eardrum can result in hearing loss. It can also make the middle ear vulnerable to infections.
What are the types of tympanic membrane perforation?
The type of perforation seen were central 57.6%, subtotal 33.3%, total 6.1%, marginal 3.0%. The sides affected were left ear 45.5%, right ear 15.2%, and both ears 39.4%. The causes found were chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) 90.9%, acute suppurative otitis media (ASOM) 6.1%, and trauma to the affected ear 3.0%.