3D Ear

Overview > Ossicles > Tympanic Membrane > Tendons > Nerves > Inner Ear

Tendons

There are two tendons found in the middle ear: the tendons of the tensor tympani and the stapedius muscles.

Labeled image of tympanic membrane,oOssicles and tensor tympani tendon

Tensor Tympani Tendon

The tensor tympani tendon attaches the muscle to the manubrium of the malleus. Contraction of the tensor tympani displaces the malleus (and consequently the tympanic membrane) medially, thus adding tension to the tympanic membrane, as the name of the muscle implies. The muscle body of the tensor tympani is enclosed in its own temporal bone cavity and lies essentially in an anterior-posterior plane (perpendicular to its tendon) along the medial aspect of the eustachian tube.

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Labeled image of tympanic membrane, ossicles and stapedius tendon

Stapedius Tendon

The stapedius tendon attaches the muscle most commonly to the head of the stapes. Contraction of the stapedius displaces the stapes posteriorly. The body of the stapedius muscle is also enclosed in its own temporal bone cavity and lies in a superior-inferior plane (perpendicular to its tendon).

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