See Also: tympanic membrane perforation(medicine)
Tympanic membrane(health)
tympanic membrane(medicine)
nerve of tympanic membrane(medicine)
secondary tympanic membrane(medicine)
limbus of tympanic membrane(medicine)
umbo of tympanic membrane(medicine)
cutaneous layer of tympanic membrane(medicine)
flaccid part of tympanic membrane(medicine)
radiate layer of tympanic membrane(medicine)

tympanic membrane perforation (medicine)


tympanic membrane perforation


An opening in the tympanic membrane usually caused by trauma. There are four general categories: compression injuries (the most common and usually the result of a blow to the ear); instrumentation injuries (the second most common, usually inadvertent, caused often by cotton swabs or bobby-pins); burn-slag injuries (frequently seen in industry, from hot metal from machines or welding); and blast injuries (usually seen during war or as a result of terrorist bombing). In the absence of infection, most traumatic tympanic membrane perforations heal spontaneously. Persistent perforation is usually a manifestation of tubotympanitis, an inflammation of the eustachian tube and tympanic cavity (middle ear).