tympanum

n 1: the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the

inner ear [syn: {middle ear}, {tympanic cavity}]

2: the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound [syn: {eardrum},

{tympanic membrane}]

3: a large hemispherical brass or copper drum with a drumhead

that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it [syn: {kettle},

{kettledrum}, {tympani}, {timpani}]