Tärykalvojen

Tärykalvojen, known in English as tympanic membranes or eardrums, are thin, cone-shaped membranes that separate the external ear from the middle ear. They are crucial for hearing, as they vibrate when sound waves strike them, transmitting these vibrations to the ossicles in the middle ear.

The tympanic membrane is composed of three layers: an outer epidermal layer continuous with the skin of the ear canal, a middle fibrous layer providing tensile strength, and an inner mucosal layer continuous with the lining of the middle ear. The sound waves entering the ear canal cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate. The frequency and intensity of the sound waves determine the amplitude and speed of these vibrations.

These vibrations are then amplified by the three small bones in the middle ear: the malleus, incus, and stapes. The stapes, connected to the oval window of the cochlea, transmits the vibrations to the fluid-filled inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound.

Conditions affecting the tympanic membrane include perforations, which can result from infection, trauma, or sudden pressure changes. These perforations can lead to hearing loss and an increased risk of middle ear infections. Inflammation of the tympanic membrane is known as myringitis. The health and integrity of the tympanic membrane are therefore vital for effective hearing.