tympanum

tym·pa·num also tim·pa·num  (tmp-nm)

n. pl. tym·pa·na (-n) or tym·pa·nums

1.

a. Anatomy See middle ear.

b. See eardrum.

2. Zoology A membranous external auditory structure, as in certain insects.

3. Architecture

a. The ornamental recessed space or panel enclosed by the cornices of a triangular pediment.

b. A similar space between an arch and the lintel of a portal or window.

4. The diaphragm of a telephone.

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[Medieval Latin, from Latin, drum, from Greek tumpanon.]

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tympanum

Noun

pl -nums or -na

1. Anat

a. the cavity of the middle ear

b. same as tympanic membrane

2. Archit the recessed space between the arch and the lintel above a door [Greek tumpanon drum]

tympanic adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	tympanum - the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear middle ear, tympanic cavity 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
	2.	tympanum - the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound eardrum, myringa, tympanic membrane ear - the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium perforated eardrum - an eardrum with a hole or tear in it; can interfere with normal hearing and cause other ear problems umbo - a slight rounded elevation where the malleus attaches to the eardrum tissue layer, membrane - a pliable sheet of tissue that covers or lines or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants
	3.	tympanum - a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it kettledrum, timpani, tympani, kettle percussion instrument, percussive instrument - a musical instrument in which the sound is produced by one object striking another