middle ear

middle ear, the tympanic cavity with the auditory ossicles contained in an irregular space in the temporal bone. It is separated from the external ear by the tympanic membrane and from the inner ear by the oval window. The auditory (eustachian) tube carries air from the posterior nasopharynx into the middle ear. Also called tympanic cavity. Compare external ear, inner ear.

Middle ear (Mosby, 2013)