The tympanic membrane is also known as which structure?

The tympanic membrane is also known as which structure?

• A. Cochlea
• B. Ossicles
• C. Eardrum
• D. Semicircular canal

Answer: (C)

The key idea is recognizing the common name for the tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane is the eardrum—the thin, taut membrane at the boundary between the outer ear and the middle ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves and starts the chain of transmission that moves vibrations through the middle-ear bones to the inner ear. It isn’t the cochlea (inner ear structure for converting vibrations to neural signals), the semicircular canals (balance organs), or the ossicles (the tiny bones that receive vibrations from the eardrum). The eardrum specifically refers to the tympanic membrane.

The key idea is recognizing the common name for the tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane is the eardrum—the thin, taut membrane at the boundary between the outer ear and the middle ear. It vibrates in response to sound waves and starts the chain of transmission that moves vibrations through the middle-ear bones to the inner ear. It isn’t the cochlea (inner ear structure for converting vibrations to neural signals), the semicircular canals (balance organs), or the ossicles (the tiny bones that receive vibrations from the eardrum). The eardrum specifically refers to the tympanic membrane.