What is another term for the tympanic membrane?

The tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum, is a thin membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. It plays a critical role in the auditory system, as it vibrates in response to sound waves, which then transmit these vibrations to the structures in the middle ear, ultimately leading to hearing. The term "eardrum" is widely recognized and used interchangeably with tympanic membrane because of its drum-like shape and function in hearing.

The other terms listed do not refer to the tympanic membrane. The ear canal is the passage that leads from the outer ear to the tympanic membrane. Auditory ossicles are the small bones located in the middle ear that amplify sound, while the middle ear itself is the air-filled space that contains the auditory ossicles, but not the tympanic membrane. Therefore, "eardrum" is the correct answer as it directly corresponds to the structure and function of the tympanic membrane.