Beginner Tympanic Membrane Quiz

Q1. What does the tympanic membrane separate?

• Middle ear and inner ear
• External acoustic meatus and middle ear
• Cochlea and vestibule
• Nasopharynx and middle ear

Q2. Which part forms most of the tympanic membrane?

• Pars tensa
• Oval window
• Promontory
• Pars flaccida

Q3. Which part of the tympanic membrane is relatively small and lax?

• Umbo
• Annulus
• Pars flaccida
• Pars tensa

Q4. Which auditory ossicle is directly attached to the tympanic membrane?

• Cochlea
• Malleus
• Incus
• Stapes

Q5. What is the umbo of the tympanic membrane?

• The footplate of the stapes
• The superior opening of the auditory tube
• The lateral end of the cochlea
• The most depressed central point of the membrane

Q6. What is the main function of the tympanic membrane in hearing?

• Generate auditory nerve action potentials directly
• Detect angular acceleration
• Convert sound pressure into mechanical vibration of the ossicles
• Produce endolymph

Q7. How is the normal tympanic membrane positioned relative to the external acoustic meatus?

• Parallel to the roof of the middle ear
• Perfectly horizontal
• Obliquely
• Perfectly vertical and transverse

Q8. Which structure anchors the peripheral margin of most of the tympanic membrane?

• Fibrocartilaginous annulus
• Annular ligament of the stapes
• Spiral ligament
• Round window membrane

Q9. Which visible landmark extends from the umbo toward the superior part of the tympanic membrane?

• Long process of the incus
• Handle of the malleus
• Chorda tympani
• Stapes footplate

Q10. How many conventional clinical quadrants are used to describe the tympanic membrane?

• Six
• Three
• Two
• Four