Text: The membrana tympani serves to conduct vibrations received from the external air to the three small bones, the malleus, incus, and stapes, and thus to the internal ear. It is usually in a state of moderate relaxation, and is made more tense by the action of the tensor tympani muscle, and less tense probably by that of the stapedius and perhaps the laxator tympani. The vibrations which it receives are derived from the air in the external meatus, and perhaps also from the bony ring in which it is set.

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