Main Model
Middle ear : 5 Tympanic cavity
The tympanic cavity or cavity of the middle ear is the narrow air-filled chamber in the petrous part of the temporal bone. The cavity has two parts: the tympanic cavity proper, the space directly internal to the tympanic membrane, and the epitympanic recess, the space superior to the membrane. The tympanic cavity is connected anteromedially with the nasopharynx by the pharyngotympanic tube and posterosuperiorly with the mastoid cells through the mastoid antrum. The tympanic cavity is lined with mucous membrane that is continuous with the lining of the pharyngotympanic tube, mastoid cells, and mastoid antrum.