| Tensor tympani muscle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Origin | Auditory tube |
| Insertion | Handle of the malleus |
| Artery | Superior tympanic artery |
| Nerve | Medial pterygoid nerve from the mandibular nerve (V3) |
| Actions | Tensing the tympanic membrane |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | musculus tensor tympani |
| MeSH | D013719 |
| TA98 | A15.3.02.061 |
| TA2 | 2102 |
| FMA | 49028 |
| Anatomical terms of muscle | |
The tensor tympani is a muscle within the middle ear, located in the bony canal above the bony part of the auditory tube, and connects to the malleus bone. Its role is to dampen loud sounds, such as those produced from chewing, shouting, or thunder. Because its reaction time is not fast enough, the muscle cannot protect against hearing damage caused by sudden loud sounds, like explosions or gunshots, however some individuals have voluntary control over the muscle, and may tense it pre-emptively.