Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual
10:40

Discovering Middle Ear Anatomy by Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery: A Dissection Manual

Published on: January 11, 2018

69.5K

Membranous band between the tympanic membrane and the external auditory canal

Takashi Kimitsuki1

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, Kyushu Central Hospital, 2-23-1 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-8588, Japan.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|February 15, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Rare membranous bands between the tympanic membrane and ear canal were found in two children. These structures, linked to first branchial cleft anomalies, caused minor hearing loss due to limited eardrum vibrations.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Medical Genetics

Background:

  • A rare anatomical finding is a membranous band connecting the tympanic membrane to the external auditory canal.
  • This structure is infrequently associated with first branchial cleft anomalies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present two cases of this rare membranous band.
  • To discuss its association with first branchial cleft anomalies and its impact on hearing.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two pediatric patients.
  • Audiometric evaluation including pure-tone audiometry.

Main Results:

  • Two pediatric patients (ages 11 and 13) presented with a membranous band in one ear each.
  • Neither patient had an ear infection.
  • Both patients exhibited slight air-bone gaps on audiometric testing, indicating limited tympanic membrane vibration.

Conclusions:

  • Membranous bands between the tympanic membrane and ear canal are rare findings.
  • These bands can occur with first branchial cleft anomalies.
  • They may lead to conductive hearing loss by impeding tympanic membrane movement.

Keywords:
ChildExternal auditory canalFirst branchial cleftTympanic membrane

More Related Videos

Dissection of the Auditory Bulla in Postnatal Mice: Isolation of the Middle Ear Bones and Histological Analysis07:40

Dissection of the Auditory Bulla in Postnatal Mice: Isolation of the Middle Ear Bones and Histological Analysis

Published on: January 4, 2017

32.6K
Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol06:42

Extracting the Cochlea from a Human Temporal Bone: A Cadaveric Protocol

Published on: August 18, 2023

2.5K

Related Concept Videos

Anatomy of the Ear01:16

Anatomy of the Ear

Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
11.5K
The Auditory Ossicles01:11

The Auditory Ossicles

The auditory ossicles of the middle ear transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. The auditory ossicles consist of two malleus (hammer) bones, two incus (anvil) bones, and two stapes (stirrups), one on each side. These bones develop during the fetal stage and are the ones to ossify first. They are fully mature at birth and do not grow afterward.
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
3.9K
Auditory Pathway01:15

Auditory Pathway

Auditory pathways constitute the complex neural circuits responsible for transmitting and interpreting auditory information from the peripheral auditory system to the brain. Sound waves are initially captured by the outer ear, funneled through the ear canal, and reach the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These vibrations are transmitted via the middle ear's ossicles to the inner ear's cochlea.
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...
7.1K
The Cochlea01:13

The Cochlea

The cochlea is a coiled structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells—the sensory receptors of the auditory system. Sound waves are transmitted to the cochlea by small bones attached to the eardrum called the ossicles, which vibrate the oval window that leads to the inner ear. This causes fluid in the chambers of the cochlea to move, vibrating the basilar membrane.
41.0K
Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane01:14

Assessing Body Temperature - Tympanic membrane

Assessing tympanic membrane temperature involves using a tympanic membrane thermometer (TMT). Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Begin by practicing good hand hygiene to prevent the transmission of microorganisms.
Step 2: Turn on the thermometer and wait until the ready sign appears on the screen to ensure accurate measurement.
Step 3: Slide the probe cover in place to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 4: Instruct the patient to tilt their head to the side for comfort and check for cerumen...
1.4K
Tissue Membranes01:27

Tissue Membranes

A tissue membrane is a thin layer of cells that covers the outside of the body, the organs, internal passageways that lead to the exterior of the body, and the lining of the moveable joint cavities. There are two basic types of tissue membranes— connective tissue and epithelial membranes.
Connective Tissue Membranes
The connective tissue membrane is formed solely from connective tissue. These membranes encapsulate organs, such as the kidneys, and line our movable joints. A synovial...
13.5K