Quadrants of the Tympanic Membrane
A medical student obtained this image of a tympanic membrane (eardrum) and has asked for your help in identifying the quadrants and understanding their significance.
The quadrants of the tympanic membrane and their significance.
The first step in identifying the quadrants of the tympanic membrane (TM) is locating the malleus bone. The malleus is the first ossicle (bone) in the three-bone chain that transfers the motion of the tympanic membrane to the inner ear. The malleus is also a prominent landmark associated with the TM that helps to distinguish left vs right ear. The malleus always “points” to the face. In this example, the malleus is pointing up and to the left, so this must be the left ear.
Identifying the quadrants proceeds by drawing a line through the malleus. Since we now know that this is the left ear, this line separates anterior (front) from posterior (back).
The next step in identifying the quadrants is to locate the umbo of the malleus. At the umbo a line is drawn perpendicular to the previous line separating anterior from posterior.
This new line separates superior from inferior. We now have all four quadrants of the TM identified.
Now that the quadrants have been identified, the significance of each quadrant can be discussed.
Posterior Superior
This quadrant contains most of the pars flaccida portion of the tympanic membrane. This is the “looser” portion of the membrane that forms the “roof.” This is the area where middle ear pressure in the form of bulging is first evident, for example in acute otitis media. The posterior superior quadrant also contains the incus bone and the stapes bone. Sometimes the chordi tympani nerve can also be seen in this quadrant. This quadrant is where it is easiest to see TM movement when a patient performs a Valsalva maneuver. Ventilation tubes are not placed in this quadrant because of the risk of damage to the ossicles and chorda tympani nerve.
Anterior Superior
This quadrant is part of the pars tensa portion of the TM although a small portion of the pars flaccida is located in the most anterior superior portion of the quadrant. Behind this quadrant, in the middle ear space, is located the eustachian tube orifice. This tube provides pressure equalization across the TM by ventilating the middle ear space (the area behind the TM) to the posterior nasopharynx.
Anterior Inferior
This quadrant is entirely made up of the pars tensa. The promontory of the middle ear space is located approximately between this quadrant and the posterior inferior quadrant. The promontory is the outer rounded bulge from the cochlea.
Posterior Inferior
This quadrant is entirely made up of the pars tensa. The promontory of the middle ear spaces is located approximately between this quadrant and the anterior inferior quadrant. Part of the stapes ossicle terminates at the oval window behind this portion of the TM. This is also a quadrant to avoid when placing ventilation tubes.
Here is the complete video of the left ear exam:
Complete exam video
