The human body is a complex system. It is not for nothing that in medical universities they devote a lot of time to the study of anatomy. The structure of the auditory system is one of the most difficult topics. Therefore, some students are lost when they hear the question "What is the tympanic cavity?" at the exam. It will be interesting to learn about this for people who do not have a medical education. Let's explore this topic later in the article.
Anatomy of the middle ear
The human auditory system consists of several parts:
- outer ear;
- middle ear;
- inner ear.
Each section has a special structure. So, the middle ear performs a sound-conducting function. It is located in the temporal bone. Includes three air cavities.
The nasopharynx and the tympanic cavity are connected with the help of the Eustachian tube. Behind - the air cells of the mastoid process, including the largest - the mastoid cave.
Tympanic cavity of the middlethe ear is shaped like 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 to separate from the skull, and the thickness reaches a maximum of 6 mm. You can find small cells on it. The plate separates the middle ear cavity from the dura mater and the temporal lobe of the brain. Below, the tympanic cavity is adjacent to the bulb of the jugular vein.
The middle part of the inner ear is formed by a bony labyrinth, inside which the cochlea is contained. Below - the stirrup, hammer, anvil and eardrum. The facial nerve canal runs across the tympanic cavity. The lateral walls of the tympanic cavity are composed of bone and membranous tissue.
An important part of the middle ear is the auditory tube. Its main function is to maintain optimal pressure. It connects the nasopharynx and the tympanic cavity. With each sip, the passage in the auditory tube opens.
Eardrum
The tympanic membrane plays a kind of role as a dividing septum between the outer and inner ear. It is a three layer membrane. Its first layer is formed by epithelial cells, the second - by fibrous fibers, the third - by the mucous membrane. It protects the structures of the middle ear from external influences.
In the middle, the tympanic membrane is retracted inward in the form of a funnel. Its main function is the transmission of sound vibrations. An important feature of the auditory system allows not only to perceive sound, but also to determine its direction.
Additional spaces
The tympanic cavity is adjacent to the mastoid cavity. Air cells diverge from it in different directions. They reach the dura mater and cranial fossae. They also penetrate deep into the pyramid of the temporal bone.
Physiology of hearing
Initially sound travels through the external auditory canal and into the eardrum. Under his influence, she begins to fluctuate. It is the tympanic cavity that turns sound into a mechanical wave, and all thanks to the small bones: anvil, stirrup and hammer. It is with their help that 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 tympanic cavity: features
Every mother is familiar with such a disease as otitis media, as it often affects young children. In the absence of timely treatment, this ailment can lead to persistent hearing loss or complete loss.
The tympanic cavity is reliably protected from external influences, and therefore the inflammatory processes in it are secondary. Bacteria enter from neighboring spaces. And most often this happens due to hypothermia, reduced immunity, nasal infections and poor nutrition.
The main symptom of otitis media is a sharp pain in the ear. Secondarily, migraine, fever, etc. may occur. But foran in-person consultation with a doctor is required to establish an accurate diagnosis.
Eustachitis can be attributed to private inflammations of the tympanic cavity. This disease affects the auditory tube, where bacteria most often enter from the oral cavity, since one end of the tube opens near the tonsils. Therefore, for example, sinusitis and rhinitis can cause hearing diseases.
The tympanic cavity can also be affected due to inflammation in the mastoid cave. This disease is called mastoiditis. Most often, the infection enters this area from the lymphatic or circulatory system, as the vessels pass densely in this place. Often inflammation occurs against the background of a sluggish infection, such as pyelonephritis. In this case, the bacteria are carried with the blood stream and affect the mastoid cells.
Tympanic cavity - part of the middle ear, which includes important bones: stirrup, hammer and anvil. An important function of this area is the conversion of a sound wave into a mechanical one and its delivery to recipes inside the cochlea. Therefore, inflammatory processes in this place threaten temporary or permanent hearing loss.
