middle ear

American  

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.

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middle ear British  

noun

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

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middle ear Scientific  

/ mĭd′l /

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

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middle ear Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of middle ear

First recorded in 1885–90