Final answer:
Hemotympanum is the correct term for the accumulation of blood behind the tympanic membrane, usually diagnosed using an otoscope and treated based on the underlying cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tympanic membrane, commonly known as the ear drum, is a thin diaphragm located between the outer and middle ear. When an individual has hemotympanum, there is a collection of blood in the middle ear space, behind this membrane. This condition may result from trauma, infection, or barotrauma.
The manifestation of hemotympanum is typically identified during an otoscopic examination, where the usual landmarks of the tympanic membrane are obscured by the presence of blood. It's important to distinguish hemotympanum from other ear conditions such as Otitis Media (AOM), where pus and fluid build-up rather than blood, and tympanic membrane perforation, where a hole or rupture occurs in the membrane itself. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause and may require medical or surgical intervention depending on the severity and etiology of the blood accumulation.