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Glite Dictionary
epitympanic

epitympanic

9.9
Relating to the area above the eardrum inside the middle ear
  • adjective
  • /ˌɛpɪˈtɪmpənɪk/
  • Specialized
: epitimpánico
  • The surgeon carefully examined the epitympanic region during the ear surgery to ensure no damage was done.

Examples

  • Intraoperatively, a large cholesteatoma sac was found filling the antrum and extending to the mesotympanic and epitympanic areas.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Caution should especially be applied in the anterior epitympanic area of the mastoid; many surgeons are unfamiliar with the anatomy of the facial nerve in its course from the internal acoustic meatus.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Infections can spread to the epitympanic space and lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.

  • Understanding the epitympanic anatomy is crucial for otologists when performing middle ear procedures.

Synonyms

intratympanic
vsepitympanic
  • Specialized
9.9

Given inside the middle ear

refers only to the upper part of the middle ear cavity

Surface Forms

epitympanic positive

Morphology

epitympanic = tympanic (semi-transparent) = epi + tympanum + ic

Meaning is compositionally 'epi-' (above/on) + 'tympanic' (relating to the tympanum), which is clear in structure but both elements are specialist anatomical terms.

Etymology

Epitympanic comes from Greek parts epi- meaning 'above' and tympanum meaning 'drum', where the 'drum' is the eardrum in your ear. So epitympanic names the area 'above' the eardrum.