Trummelmembraani

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

The trummelmembraani is composed of three layers: an outer epithelial layer continuous with the skin of the ear canal, a middle fibrous layer containing collagen and elastic fibers, and an inner mucous membrane layer continuous with the lining of the middle ear. This structure allows it to vibrate efficiently when struck by sound waves.

When sound waves enter the ear canal, they cause the trummelmembraani to vibrate. These vibrations are then transferred to the malleus, the first of the three small bones in the middle ear. The malleus, in turn, vibrates the incus, and the incus vibrates the stapes. The stapes then transmits these vibrations to the oval window, an opening leading to the inner ear, where they are converted into nerve impulses that are sent to the brain for interpretation as sound.

Damage to the trummelmembraani can result from various causes, including loud noises, infections, trauma, and sudden changes in pressure. Perforations of the membrane can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and an increased susceptibility to middle ear infections. Medical intervention is often required to repair a ruptured trummelmembraani and restore hearing function. Its integrity is therefore vital for effective hearing.