middle ear

middle ear

n.

The space between the eardrum and the inner ear that contains the three auditory ossicles, which convey vibrations through the oval window to the cochlea. Also called tympanum.

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middle ear

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) the sound-conducting part of the ear, containing the malleus, incus, and stapes

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middle ear  (mdl)

The part of the ear in most mammals that contains the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the three ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) which transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. See more at ear¹.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

middle ear - the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear tympanic cavity, tympanum bonelet, ossicle, ossiculum - a small bone; especially one in the middle ear auditory apparatus - all of the components of the organ of hearing including the outer and middle and inner ears bodily cavity, cavum, cavity - (anatomy) a natural hollow or sinus within the body auditory tube, Eustachian tube - either of the paired tubes connecting the middle ears to the nasopharynx; equalizes air pressure on the two sides of the eardrum malleus, hammer - the ossicle attached to the eardrum incus, anvil - the ossicle between the malleus and the stapes stapes, stirrup - the stirrup-shaped ossicle that transmits sound from the incus to the cochlea