Tensor tympani muscle

Tensor Tympani Muscle

The Tensor Tympani Muscle (pronunciation: ten-sor tim-pan-i mus-cle) is a tiny muscle located within the ear. It plays a crucial role in the auditory system, particularly in dampening the sounds produced by chewing and other loud noises.

Etymology

The term "Tensor Tympani" is derived from Latin, where "tensor" means "stretcher" and "tympani" refers to a drum, in this case, the eardrum. Thus, the name suggests the muscle's function - to tense or stretch the eardrum.

Anatomy

The Tensor Tympani Muscle originates from the Eustachian tube, also known as the auditory tube, and inserts into the handle of the malleus, one of the three tiny bones in the ear known as the ossicles. When it contracts, it pulls the handle of the malleus medially, tensing the tympanic membrane and dampening the vibration in response to loud, external sounds.

Function

The primary function of the Tensor Tympani Muscle is to protect the inner ear from damage due to excessively loud noises. It does this by contracting in response to such noises, thereby reducing the amplitude of sound waves reaching the cochlea and preventing potential damage to the auditory hair cells.

Related Terms

• Eustachian tube
• Malleus
• Ossicles
• Tympanic membrane
• Cochlea

See Also

• Stapedius muscle
• Middle ear
• Inner ear

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Tensor tympani muscle
• Wikipedia's article - Tensor tympani muscle

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