ISSN: 2161-119X

Otolaryngology: Open Access
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  • Review Article   
  • Otolaryngology 2014, Vol 4(2): 163
  • DOI: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000163

Tensor Tympani Muscle: A (Voluntary) Impedence Modulator In Mammals?

Federico Maria Gioacchini1*, Elisabetta Genovese2, Daniele Monzani1, Livio Presutti1 and Matteo Alicandri-Ciufelli1
1Otolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Modena, , Modena, Italy
2Audiology Unit, Otolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, , Italy
*Corresponding Author : Federico Maria Gioacchini MD, Otolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy, Tel: +39-3490069191, Fax: +39-(0)594222454, Email: giox83@hotmail.com

Received Date: Feb 25, 2014 / Accepted Date: Mar 04, 2014 / Published Date: Mar 11, 2014

Abstract

At the present time, the function of the Tensor Tympani Muscle (TTM) remains unknown. It seems to share many movements in common with the Tensor Veli Palatini (TVP) muscle, so one of the main hypotheses accredited in the literature interprets the TTM as a muscle that, together with the TVP, produces internal deflection of the tympanic membrane breaking the mucous membrane seal of the isthmus of the Eustachian tube, thereby contributing to middle ear ventilation. Some authors have demonstrated its response to loud sounds and vocalizations, chewing, swallowing and external stimulation of the facial muscles.

In the authors’ opinion, and based on evolutionary and physiological considerations, it is possible that the TTM might have acted in mammals to create favourable compliance and impedance conditions in the tympano-ossicular system, so as to hear and transmit high frequency sounds and ultrasounds. Clearly, that function of impedance modulator in humans would have been lost, due to the absence of a sensorineural system to analyse ultrasounds.

Keywords: Tensor tympani muscle, Tympano-ossicular system, Ultrasounds, Impedance modulator

Citation: Gioacchini FM, Genovese E, Monzani D, Presutti L, Alicandri-Ciufelli M (2014) Tensor Tympani Muscle: A (Voluntary) Impedence Modulator In Mammals? Otolaryngology 4:163. Doi: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000163

Copyright: © 2014 Gioacchini FM, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Review summary

  1. Devin
    Posted on Dec 18 2016 at 10:41 am
    I found out that ear thing when I was younger, but recently found out that not many people know what I'm talking about. Allot does when I flex the muscle in my ear is a loud windy sound. I feel I have no purpose for this talent, but very easy to do.
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