Middle ear
Auris media
Definition
The middle ear consists of an air-filled tympanic cavity, closed to the outside by the tympanic membrane (separating the external acoustic meatus and the tympanic cavity), and connected with the nasopharynx via the auditory tube.
It contains three auditory ossicles (the malleus, the incus and the stapes), which form an articulated chain from the tympanic membrane to the vestibular window (where the inner ear begins).
It also contains two muscles associated with the ossicles (the tensor tympani on the malleus and the stapedius on the stapes).
References
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature, 3rd Edition, Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
Barone R, Simoens P. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 7, Neurologie II, Vigot, Paris, 2010.
Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Miller’s anatomy of the dog, 4th edition, Elsevier Saunders, St Louis, 2012.
