Tympanic plexus: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:15, 9 February 2025

A network of nerves in the middle ear

The tympanic plexus is a network of nerves located in the middle ear. It is primarily involved in the innervation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear cavity, the mastoid air cells, and the auditory tube.

Anatomy

The tympanic plexus is formed on the promontory of the middle ear by the tympanic nerve, a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX), and by sympathetic fibers from the carotid plexus.

Tympanic nerve

The tympanic nerve arises from the inferior ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve. It enters the middle ear through the tympanic canaliculus and contributes to the formation of the tympanic plexus.

Sympathetic fibers

The sympathetic fibers that contribute to the tympanic plexus originate from the superior cervical ganglion and reach the plexus via the carotid plexus.

Branches

The tympanic plexus gives rise to several branches:

The lesser petrosal nerve, which carries parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion.
Branches that supply the mucous membrane of the middle ear, mastoid air cells, and the auditory tube.

Function

The primary function of the tympanic plexus is to provide sensory innervation to the mucous membrane of the middle ear and to carry parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion. These parasympathetic fibers are involved in the regulation of secretions from the parotid gland.

Clinical significance

Damage to the tympanic plexus can result in loss of sensation in the middle ear and may affect the function of the parotid gland. Conditions such as glossopharyngeal neuralgia can involve the tympanic plexus, leading to pain in the ear and throat.

Images

Diagram of the tympanic plexus on the promontory of the middle ear.

The course and connections of the glossopharyngeal nerve, including the tympanic nerve.

Related pages

References

Standring, S. (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd edition. Elsevier.
Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2018). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 8th edition. Wolters Kluwer.

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-'''Tympanic Plexus'''
+{{Short description|A network of nerves in the middle ear}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-The '''Tympanic Plexus''' is a network of nerve fibers located in the middle ear. It is derived from the [[glossopharyngeal nerve]] and provides sensory innervation to the mucous membrane of the middle ear, mastoid air cells, and pharyngotympanic tube.
+The '''tympanic plexus''' is a network of nerves located in the middle ear. It is primarily involved in the innervation of the mucous membrane of the middle ear cavity, the mastoid air cells, and the auditory tube.
-==Etymology==
+==Anatomy==
+The tympanic plexus is formed on the promontory of the middle ear by the [[tympanic nerve]], a branch of the [[glossopharyngeal nerve]] (cranial nerve IX), and by sympathetic fibers from the [[carotid plexus]].
-The term "tympanic" is derived from the Greek word "tympanon", which means drum. This is in reference to the tympanic membrane or eardrum, which is a key structure in the middle ear. The term "plexus" is derived from the Latin word for braid, referring to the network of nerves.
+===Tympanic nerve===
+The tympanic nerve arises from the inferior ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve. It enters the middle ear through the tympanic canaliculus and contributes to the formation of the tympanic plexus.
-==Anatomy==
+===Sympathetic fibers===
+The sympathetic fibers that contribute to the tympanic plexus originate from the [[superior cervical ganglion]] and reach the plexus via the carotid plexus.
-The Tympanic Plexus is formed by the tympanic nerve, a branch of the [[glossopharyngeal nerve]], and the caroticotympanic nerves, which are sympathetic nerve fibers from the [[carotid plexus]]. It is located on the promontory of the middle ear, a rounded hollow prominence formed by the first turn of the cochlea of the inner ear.
+===Branches===
+The tympanic plexus gives rise to several branches:
+* The lesser petrosal nerve, which carries parasympathetic fibers to the [[otic ganglion]].
+* Branches that supply the mucous membrane of the middle ear, mastoid air cells, and the auditory tube.
 ==Function==
+The primary function of the tympanic plexus is to provide sensory innervation to the mucous membrane of the middle ear and to carry parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion. These parasympathetic fibers are involved in the regulation of secretions from the parotid gland.
-The Tympanic Plexus provides sensory innervation to the mucous membrane of the middle ear, mastoid air cells, and pharyngotympanic tube. It also carries parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland via the lesser petrosal nerve.
+==Clinical significance==
+Damage to the tympanic plexus can result in loss of sensation in the middle ear and may affect the function of the parotid gland. Conditions such as [[glossopharyngeal neuralgia]] can involve the tympanic plexus, leading to pain in the ear and throat.
-==Clinical Significance==
-Damage to the Tympanic Plexus can result in a loss of sensation in the areas it supplies. This can lead to complications such as [[otitis media]], a middle ear infection, or [[mastoiditis]], an infection of the mastoid bone.
-==Related Terms==
+==Images==
+[[File:Gray911.png|thumb|Diagram of the tympanic plexus on the promontory of the middle ear.]]
+[[File:Gray788.png|thumb|The course and connections of the glossopharyngeal nerve, including the tympanic nerve.]]
-* [[Glossopharyngeal nerve]]: A cranial nerve that supplies the Tympanic Plexus.
+==Related pages==
-* [[Carotid plexus]]: A network of nerves from which the Tympanic Plexus receives sympathetic nerve fibers.
+* [[Glossopharyngeal nerve]]
-* [[Otitis media]]: A condition that can result from damage to the Tympanic Plexus.
+* [[Otic ganglion]]
-* [[Mastoiditis]]: Another potential complication of Tympanic Plexus damage.
+* [[Middle ear]]
-[[Category:Anatomy]]
+==References==
-[[Category:Neurology]]
+* Standring, S. (2020). ''Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice''. 42nd edition. Elsevier.
-[[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]]
+* Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2018). ''Clinically Oriented Anatomy''. 8th edition. Wolters Kluwer.
-{{stub}}
+[[Category:Human anatomy]]
+[[Category:Peripheral nervous system]]