tympanic adjective & noun. [tɪm'panɪk] E19.
[from TYMPAN(UM + -IC.]
A. adjective.
1. Anatomy & Zoology. Of, pertaining to, or connected with the tympanum or the eardrum; of the nature of a tympanum. E19.
tympanic bone in mammals, a bone of annular or tubular form supporting the eardrum and surrounding part of the external auditory meatus, in the adult forming part of the temporal bone; in lower vertebrates, any of several bones supposed to be homologous with this, esp. the quadrate. tympanic cavity the cavity of the middle ear. tympanic membrane the eardrum.

2. Pertaining to or resembling a drum; Medicine tympanitic. rare. L19.

3. Of or pertaining to an architectural tympanum. E20.
b. noun. A tympanic bone. M19.

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