The drum cavity is part of the middle ear

The human body is a complex system. It's not in vain in medical schools that they devote much time to the study of anatomy. The device of the auditory system is one of the most complex topics. Therefore, some students are lost when they hear the question "What is a drum cavity?" On the exam. It will be interesting to learn about this and people who do not have medical education. Let's look at this topic later in the article.

Anatomy of the middle ear

The human auditory system consists of several parts:

• External ear;
• Middle ear;
• Inner ear.

Each site has a special structure. Thus, the middle ear performs a sound-conducting function. It is located in the temporal bone. Includes three air-bearing cavities.

The nasopharynx and the tympanum are connected by means of the Eustachian tube. Behind - airborne cells of the mastoid process, including the largest - mastoid cave.

The drum cavity of the middle ear has the form of a parallelepiped and has six walls. This cavity is located in the thickness of the pyramid of the temporal bone. The upper wall is formed by a thin bone plate, its function is separation from the skull, and the thickness reaches a maximum of 6 mm. On it you can find small cells. The plate separates the middle ear cavity from the dura mater and the temporal lobe of the brain. Below the drum cavity is adjacent to the bulb of the jugular vein.

The middle part of the inner ear is formed by a bone labyrinth, inside of which there is a snail. Below - stirrup, hammer, anvil and tympanic membrane. Across the drum cavity passes the canal of the facial nerve. The lateral walls of the tympanum consist of bone and membranous tissue.

An important part of the middle ear is the auditory tube. Its main function is to maintain optimum pressure. It connects the nasopharynx and the tympanum. With each throat, the opening in the auditory tube opens.

Eardrum

A kind of role of the septum between the outer and inner ear is played by the tympanic membrane. This membrane consists of three layers. Its first layer is formed by cells of the epithelium, the second - fibrous fibers, the third - the mucosa. It protects the structure of the middle ear from external influences.

In the middle, the tympanic membrane is drawn inward in the form of a funnel. Its main function is the transfer of sound vibrations. An important feature of the auditory system allows not only to perceive the sound, but also to determine its direction.

Appendages

The tympanum is adjacent to the cavity of the mastoid process. Airborne cells diverge from it in different directions. They reach the dura mater and cranial pits. They also penetrate deeply into the pyramid of the temporal bone.

Physiology of hearing

Initially, the sound goes through the outer ear canal and enters the eardrum. Under his influence, she begins to hesitate. It is the tympanum that turns the sound into a mechanical wave, and all thanks to small bones: the anvil, stirrups and malleus. It is with their help that the sound is transmitted to the inner ear. Already there, in the cochlea, there are special receptors that turn mechanical waves into electrical waves , allowing nerve cells to perceive information.

Inflammation of the tympanum: features

Each mother is familiar with such a disease as otitis, as it often affects small children. In the absence of timely treatment, this ailment can lead to a persistent hearing loss or a complete loss of hearing.

The drum cavity is reliably protected from external influence, and therefore the inflammatory processes in it are secondary. Bacteria come from neighboring spaces. And most often it happens and-due to hypothermia, reduced immunity, nose infection and poor nutrition.

The main symptom of otitis is a sharp pain in the ear. Secondarily, migraine, temperature rise, etc. may occur. But to establish an accurate diagnosis, you need a full-time doctor's consultation.

To private inflammation of the tympanum can be attributed eustachyte. This disease affects the auditory tube, where bacteria most often get out of the mouth, as one end of the tube opens next to the tonsils. Therefore, for example, sinusitis and rhinitis can cause diseases of the hearing organs.

The tympanic cavity can be affected and due to inflammation in the mastoid cave. This disease is called mastoiditis. Most often, the infection gets into this area from the lymphatic or circulatory system, as the vessels thickly pass through this place. Often inflammation occurs against a background of a slow-moving infection, such as pyelonephritis. Bacteria in this case are carried with the blood flow and affect the mastoid cells.

The drum cavity is part of the middle ear, which includes important bones: stirrup, hammer and anvil. An important function of this area is the transformation of the sound wave into a mechanical wave and its delivery to recipes inside the cochlea. Therefore, inflammatory processes in this place threaten temporary or permanent hearing loss.