Tärykalvoa

Tärykalvoa, also known as the eardrum or tympanic membrane, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. It is a crucial component of the auditory system, responsible for transmitting sound vibrations from the air to the ossicles of the middle ear.

The tärykalvoa is composed of three layers: an outer epidermal layer, a middle fibrous layer, and an inner mucosal layer. Its surface area is approximately 90 square millimeters, and it is slightly concave. When sound waves enter the ear canal, they strike the tärykalvoa, causing it to vibrate. The frequency and intensity of the sound waves determine the amplitude and speed of these vibrations.

These vibrations are then transferred to the malleus, the first of the three small bones in the middle ear. From the malleus, the vibrations are passed sequentially to the incus and then to the stapes. The stapes, in turn, transmits the vibrations to the oval window, an opening that leads to the inner ear. In the inner ear, these mechanical vibrations are converted into electrical signals that are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, where they are interpreted as sound.

The tärykalvoa can be damaged by loud noises, sudden pressure changes, or infections. A perforated tympanic membrane, for instance, can lead to hearing loss and an increased risk of middle ear infections. Medical examination of the tärykalvoa, often using an otoscope, is a common diagnostic procedure for assessing ear health.