Rabbit tympanic membrane thickness distribution obtained via optical coherence tomography

Knowing the precise tympanic membrane (TM) thickness variation is crucial in understanding the functional properties of the TM and has a significant effect on the accuracy of computational models. Using optical coherence tomography, we imaged five left and five right TMs of domestic New Zealand rabbits. From these data, ten thickness distribution maps were computed. Although inter-specimen variability is present, similar features could be observed in all samples: The rabbit TM is thickest around the umbo, with values of 150 ± 32 µm. From the umbo towards the TM annulus, the thickness gradually decreases down to 38 ± 7 µm around the midway location, but increases up to 54 ± 19 µm at the TM annulus. The thickness values at the umbo are comparable to literature data for humans, but the rabbit TM is thinner at the TM annulus and in-between the umbo and annulus. Moreover, the rabbit TM thickness distribution is highly symmetrical, which is not the case for the human TM. The results improve our general understanding of TM structure in rabbits and may improve numerical models of TM dynamical behavior.