middle ear

noun

Anatomy.

1. the middle portion of the ear, consisting of the tympanic membrane and an air-filled chamber lined with mucous membrane, that contains the malleus, incus, and stapes.

middle ear

noun

1. the sound-conducting part of the ear, containing the malleus, incus, and stapes

middle ear

1. The part of the ear in most mammals that contains the eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the three ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes) which transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear.

2. See more at ear

middle ear

1. A part of the ear on the inner side of the eardrum; it contains three small bones that transmit sound waves to the inner ear from the eardrum.

Word History and Origins

Origin of middle ear¹

First recorded in 1885–90