Muscles of auditory ossicles
Musculi ossiculorum auditus
- Latin synonym: Musculi ossiculorum auditoriorum; Musculi ossiculorum auditivorum
Definition
The muscles of auditory ossicles comprise two small striated muscles regulate movement of the auditory ossicles within the middle ear cavity. These include:
Protective role in hearing
They function to dampen excessive vibrations of the ossicular chain and protect the inner ear from damage due to loud sounds.
References
Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier. Chapter 37: External and middle ear, pp. 637.
Edmonson A, Iwanaga J, Olewnik Ł, Dumont AS, Tubbs RS. The function of the tensor tympani muscle: a comprehensive review of the literature. Anat Cell Biol. 2022 Jun 30;55(2):113-117.
Fournier P, Paquette S, Paleressompoulle D, Paolino F, Devèze A, Noreña A. Contraction of the stapedius and tensor tympani muscles explored by tympanometry and pressure measurement in the external auditory canal. Hear Res. 2022 Jul;420:108509.
