What is the Difference Between Right and Left Tympanic Membrane

The main difference between right and left tympanic membrane is that the light reflex of the right tympanic membrane occurs in the 7 o’clock to 8 o’clock direction, whereas the light reflex of the left tympanic membrane occurs in the 4 o’clock to 5 o’clock direction.

The right and left tympanic membranes are two tympanic membrane types that occur in the ear, separating the middle ear from the outer ear. Their function is to transmit sound.  

Key Areas Covered

1. What is the Tympanic Membrane
– Definition, Anatomy, Importance
2. What is the Right Tympanic Membrane
– Definition, Anatomy, Importance
3. What is the Left Tympanic Membrane
– Definition, Anatomy, Importance
4. Similarities Between Right and Left Tympanic Membrane
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Right and Left Tympanic Membrane
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Tympanic Membrane, Left Tympanic Membrane, Right Tympanic Membrane

What is the Tympanic Membrane

The tympanic membrane or eardrum is a thin, cone-shaped membrane separating the external ear from the middle ear. The main function of the tympanic membrane in the ear is to transmit sounds from the external membrane to the ossicles in the middle ear. Structure-wise, the tympanic membrane has four regions: the anterosuperior, posterosuperior, anteroinferior, and posteroinferior. Also, the super posterior end occurs lateral to the anteroinferior end. Anatomically, the tympanic membrane relates posteriorly to ossicles and facial nerve, superiorly to the middle cranial fossa, inferior to the parotid gland, and anteriorly to the temporomandibular joint. Additionally, the annular ring of the tympanic membrane is made up of a stiffer, cartilaginous membrane.

What is the Right Tympanic Membrane

The right tympanic membrane is the tympanic membrane that occurs in the right ear. It is conical in shape and its light reflection occurs in the 4 o’clock to 5 o’clock direction. Also, it separates the outer ear from the middle ear in the right ear.

Figure 1: Tympanic Membrane

What is the Left Tympanic Membrane

The left tympanic membrane is the tympanic membrane that occurs in the left ear. It is also a conical-shaped structure that reflects light in the 7 o’clock to 8 o’clock direction. On the other hand, the left tympanic membrane separates the outer ear and the middle ear of the left ear.

Figure 2: Tympanic Membrane Structure

Similarities Between Right and Left Tympanic Membrane

• The right and left tympanic membranes are two tympanic membranes that occur in the ear.
• They are conical membranes.
• They separate the outer ear from the middle ear.
• Also, they transmit sounds.

Difference Between Right and Left Tympanic Membrane

Definition

The right tympanic membrane refers to a thin conical membrane in the right ear that separates the outer ear and the middle ear. In contrast, the left tympanic membrane refers to a thin conical membrane in the left ear that separates the outer ear and the middle ear.

Occurrence

The right tympanic membrane occurs in the right ear, while the left tympanic membrane occurs in the left ear.

Separation

The right tympanic membrane separates the outer ear from the middle ear of the right ear, while the left tympanic membrane separates the outer ear from the middle ear of the left ear.

Light Reflection

The light reflexes in the right tympanic membrane in the 4 o’clock to 5 o’clock direction, while the light reflexes in the left tympanic membrane in the 7 o’clock to 8 o’clock direction.

Conclusion

In brief, the right and left tympanic membrane are two tympanic membranes that occur in the ear. They separate the outer ear from the middle ear. Also, they transmit sound waves. Additionally, they contain a conical membrane. The right tympanic membrane is a thin, conical membrane that occurs in the right ear. Also, it separates the outer ear from the middle ear in the right ear. Importantly, the light reflexes in the 4 o’clock to 5 o’clock direction in the right tympanic membrane. In comparison, the left tympanic membrane occurs in the left ear, separating the middle ear from the outer ear in the left ear. Also, the light reflexes in the 7 o’clock to 8 o’clock direction in the left tympanic membrane. Therefore, the main difference between the right and left tympanic ears is their location.

References:

1. Tympanic membrane (eardrum): Function & Anatomy. Cleveland Clinic. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Blausen 0328 EarAnatomy” By BruceBlaus. – Own work (CC-BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “View-normal-tympanic-membrane” By Madhero88 – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia