Definition of Tensor tympani

1. Noun. A small muscle in the middle ear that tenses to protect the eardrum.

Generic synonyms: Tensor

Definition of Tensor tympani

1. Noun. A muscle of the tympanic cavity, in the ear. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Tensor tympani

1. Origin, the cartilaginous part of the auditory (eustachian) tube and the walls of its hemi-canal just above the bony portion of the auditory tube; insertion, handle of malleus; action, draws the handle of the malleus medialward tensing the tympanic membrane to protect it from excessive vibration by loud sounds. Nerve supply, branches of trigeminal through the otic ganglion. Synonym: musculus tensor tympani, tensor muscle of tympanic membrane, Toynbee's muscle. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tensor Tympani

tensity
tensive
tensome
tensomes
tensometer
tensometers
tenson
tensons
tensor
tensor fascia lata
tensor fasciae latae
tensor muscle of fascia lata
tensor muscle of soft palate
tensor muscle of tympanic membrane
tensor tarsi muscle
tensor tympani (current term)
tensor veli palati muscle
tensored
tensorial
tensorially
tensoring
tensors
tensure
tensynovitis
tent
tent-caterpillar moth
tent-fly
tent-maker
tent-makers
tent camping

Literary usage of Tensor tympani

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Text Book of Physiology by Michael Foster (1891)
"It perhaps may be regarded as the antagonist of the tensor tympani. It is governed by fibres from the facial nerve. § 820. The cavity of the tympanum is, ..."

2. A Text book of physiology by Michael Foster (1894)
"Two muscles act upon the auditory apparatus of the tympanum; one, the tensor tympani, acts upon the malleus and hence upon the tympanic membrane, the other, ..."

3. A Text Book of Physiology by Michael Foster (1900)
"Two muscles act upon the auditory apparatus of the tympanum; one, the tensor tympani, acts upon the malleus and hence upon the tympanic membrane, the other, ..."

4. A Textbook of Physiology by Michael Foster (1891)
"The tensor tympani (Fig. 174) is a slender muscle, lying in a groove above the bony canal of the Eustachian tube, ..."

5. The North American Medical and Surgical Journal (1829)
"The Ear; Nerve of the tensor tympani Muscle.—The Journal des Progres, from the Repert. d'Anatomie gives the following as the real anatomical arrangement of ..."

6. Edinburgh Medical Journal (1875)
"... of the tensor tympani, he gives preference to the posterior segment of the membrana tympani as a field for the incision, since in that position the ..."

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