Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (741 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
An oval semitransparent membrane separating the external ear canal from the tympanic cavity (EAR, middle). It contains three layers: the skin of the external ear canal; the core of radially and circularly arranged collagen fibers; and the mucosa of the middle ear.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Membranes, Tympanic; Membrane, Tympanic; Tympanic Membranes; Eardrum; Eardrums.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Ear, External
- See also
- Myringoplasty; Tympanoplasty
Related concepts
- Ear Canal
- Middle
- Mucous Membrane
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 7,945 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Tympanic Membrane” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 642 of them (8.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 4,525 records.
Reviews account for 415 records (5.2%) and meta-analyses for 33. Randomized controlled trials number 241 (3.0%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 4,525 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,276 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,502 |
| 2020 onward | 642 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 415 | 5.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 33 | 0.4% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 241 | 3.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Tympanic Membrane"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Re-visiting the tympanic membrane vicinity as core body temperature measurement site | 2017 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 40 | cc by PMID 28414722 · DOI · PMC5393563 |
| Latent progenitor cells as potential regulators for tympanic membrane regeneration | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 34 | cc by PMID 26100219 · DOI · PMC4477343 |
| Sustained release of triamcinolone acetonide from an intratympanically applied hydrogel designed for the delivery of high glucocorticoid doses | 2014 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 33 | cc by PMID 24714604 · DOI · PMC4717230 |
| Optical coherence tomography otoscope for imaging of tympanic membrane and middle ear pathology | 2024 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 11 | cc by PMID 39165857 · DOI · PMC11334941 |
Re-visiting the tympanic membrane vicinity as core body temperature measurement site [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Core body temperature (CBT) is an important and commonly used indicator of human health and endurance performance.
- Closing excerpt
- Results from experiments carried out on human and primate subjects will be presented to draw a fresh set of insights against the backdrop of hypotheses and controversies.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (176 words)
Core body temperature (CBT) is an important and commonly used indicator of human health and endurance performance. A rise in baseline CBT can be attributed to an onset of flu, infection or even thermoregulatory failure when it becomes excessive. Sites which have been used for measurement of CBT include the pulmonary artery, the esophagus, the rectum and the tympanic membrane. Among them, the tympanic membrane is an attractive measurement site for CBT due to its unobtrusive nature and ease of measurement facilitated, especially when continuous CBT measurements are needed for monitoring such as during military, occupational and sporting settings. However, to-date, there are still polarizing views on the suitability of tympanic membrane as a CBT site. This paper will revisit a number of key unresolved issues in the literature and also presents, for the first time, a benchmark of the middle ear temperature against temperature measurements from other sites. Results from experiments carried out on human and primate subjects will be presented to draw a fresh set of insights against the backdrop of hypotheses and controversies.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28414722 · DOI · PMC5393563
Latent progenitor cells as potential regulators for tympanic membrane regeneration [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Tympanic membrane (TM) perforation, in particular chronic otitis media, is one of the most common clinical problems in the world and can present with sensorineural healing loss.
- Closing excerpt
- Our study suggests that latent TM stem cells could be potential regulators of regeneration, which provides a new insight into this clinically important process and a potential target for new therapies for chronic otitis media and other eardrum injuries.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (149 words)
Tympanic membrane (TM) perforation, in particular chronic otitis media, is one of the most common clinical problems in the world and can present with sensorineural healing loss. Here, we explored an approach for TM regeneration where the latent progenitor or stem cells within TM epithelial layers may play an important regulatory role. We showed that potential TM stem cells present highly positive staining for epithelial stem cell markers in all areas of normal TM tissue. Additionally, they are present at high levels in perforated TMs, especially in proximity to the holes, regardless of acute or chronic status, suggesting that TM stem cells may be a potential factor for TM regeneration. Our study suggests that latent TM stem cells could be potential regulators of regeneration, which provides a new insight into this clinically important process and a potential target for new therapies for chronic otitis media and other eardrum injuries.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26100219 · DOI · PMC4477343
Sustained release of triamcinolone acetonide from an intratympanically applied hydrogel designed for the delivery of high glucocorticoid doses [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The pharmacokinetic properties and tolerability of a triamcinolone acetonide poloxamer 407 hydrogel for intratympanic application were investigated in a guinea pig model.
- Closing excerpt
- Thus, the triamcinolone-acetonide-loaded poloxamer 407 hydrogel is an effective vehicle for sustained high-dose inner ear glucocorticoid delivery.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (114 words)
The pharmacokinetic properties and tolerability of a triamcinolone acetonide poloxamer 407 hydrogel for intratympanic application were investigated in a guinea pig model. Evaluation of in vivo release kinetics showed very high initial perilymph drug levels, with clinically relevant levels present for a minimum of 10 days. Assessment of auditory brainstem response thresholds showed a minimal, delayed and transient threshold shift, which was apparent on day 3 and resolved by day 10. No relevant histological changes of the middle and inner ear structures were noted, and hair cell counts showed no significant differences between treated and untreated ears. Thus, the triamcinolone-acetonide-loaded poloxamer 407 hydrogel is an effective vehicle for sustained high-dose inner ear glucocorticoid delivery.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 24714604 · DOI · PMC4717230
Optical coherence tomography otoscope for imaging of tympanic membrane and middle ear pathology [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- SignificancePathologies within the tympanic membrane (TM) and middle ear (ME) can lead to hearing loss.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsThe developed OCT otoscope can readily fit into the hearing clinic workflow and provide new relevant information for diagnosing and managing TM and ME disease.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (302 words)
SignificancePathologies within the tympanic membrane (TM) and middle ear (ME) can lead to hearing loss. Imaging tools available in the hearing clinic for diagnosis and management are limited to visual inspection using the classic otoscope. The otoscopic view is limited to the surface of the TM, especially in diseased ears where the TM is opaque. An integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) otoscope can provide images of the interior of the TM and ME space as well as an otoscope image. This enables the clinicians to correlate the standard otoscopic view with OCT and then use the new information to improve the diagnostic accuracy and management.AimWe aim to develop an OCT otoscope that can easily be used in the hearing clinic and demonstrate the system in the hearing clinic, identifying relevant image features of various pathologies not apparent in the standard otoscopic view.ApproachWe developed a portable OCT otoscope device featuring an improved field of view and form-factor that can be operated solely by the clinician using an integrated foot pedal to control image acquisition. The device was used to image patients at a hearing clinic.ResultsThe field of view of the imaging system was improved to a 7.4 mm diameter, with lateral and axial resolutions of 38 μm and 33.4 μm , respectively. We developed algorithms to resample the images in Cartesian coordinates after collection in spherical polar coordinates and correct the image aberration. We imaged over 100 patients in the hearing clinic at USC Keck Hospital. Here, we identify some of the pathological features evident in the OCT images and highlight cases in which the OCT image provided clinically relevant information that was not available from traditional otoscopic imaging.ConclusionsThe developed OCT otoscope can readily fit into the hearing clinic workflow and provide new relevant information for diagnosing and managing TM and ME disease.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39165857 · DOI · PMC11334941
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Intratympanic dexamethasone for sudden sensorineural hearing loss after failure of systemic therapy [5]
- Research article Intratympanic gentamicin for Menière's disease: a meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Biomechanics of the tympanic membrane [7]
- Research article Is cartilage tympanoplasty more effective than fascia tympanoplasty? A systematic review [8]
- Research article Success and pitfalls in myringoplasty: follow-up study of 404 cases [9]
- Research article Cell biology of tubotympanum in relation to pathogenesis of otitis media - a review [10]
References
- Yeoh WK, Lee JKW, Lim HY, Gan CW, Liang W, Tan KK. Re-visiting the tympanic membrane vicinity as core body temperature measurement site. . 2017. PMID 28414722 · DOI · PMC5393563
- Kim SW, Kim J, Seonwoo H, Jang KJ, Kim YJ, Lim HJ, et al.. Latent progenitor cells as potential regulators for tympanic membrane regeneration. . 2015. PMID 26100219 · DOI · PMC4477343
- Honeder C, Engleder E, Schöpper H, Gabor F, Reznicek G, Wagenblast J, et al.. Sustained release of triamcinolone acetonide from an intratympanically applied hydrogel designed for the delivery of high glucocorticoid doses. . 2014. PMID 24714604 · DOI · PMC4717230
- Kim W, Long R, Yang Z, Oghalai JS, Applegate BE. Optical coherence tomography otoscope for imaging of tympanic membrane and middle ear pathology. . 2024. PMID 39165857 · DOI · PMC11334941
- Haynes DS, O'Malley M, Cohen S, Watford K, Labadie RF. Intratympanic dexamethasone for sudden sensorineural hearing loss after failure of systemic therapy. Laryngoscope. 2007. PMID 17202923 · DOI
- Cohen-Kerem R, Kisilevsky V, Einarson TR, Kozer E, Koren G, Rutka JA. Intratympanic gentamicin for Menière's disease: a meta-analysis. Laryngoscope. 2004. PMID 15564826 · DOI
- Volandri G, Di Puccio F, Forte P, Carmignani C. Biomechanics of the tympanic membrane. J Biomech. 2011. PMID 21376326 · DOI
- Mohamad SH, Khan I, Hussain SS. Is cartilage tympanoplasty more effective than fascia tympanoplasty? A systematic review. Otol Neurotol. 2012. PMID 22643445 · DOI
- Vartiainen E, Nuutinen J. Success and pitfalls in myringoplasty: follow-up study of 404 cases. Am J Otol. 1993. PMID 8372930
- Lim DJ, Chun YM, Lee HY, Moon SK, Chang KH, Li JD, et al.. Cell biology of tubotympanum in relation to pathogenesis of otitis media - a review. Vaccine. 2000. PMID 11163458 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.