Question

You are attending an incredibly loud rock concert. what is the reaction of your tensor tympani to the noise?

a. it extends to allow free movement of the auditory ossicles, thus preventing hearing loss.
b. it extends to prevent all movement of auditory ossicles.
c. it contracts to reduce movement of the stapes.
d. it contracts to pull the malleus medially and stiffens the tympanic membrane.

Answer 1

The tensor tympani reacts to loud sounds by contracting to pull the malleus medially and stiffen the tympanic membrane, thus protecting the inner ear from damage.The correct option for this reaction is d.

Step-by-step explanation:

At an incredibly loud rock concert, the reaction of the tensor tympani, a muscle in the middle ear, is to protect the inner ear from potential damage due to the intense sound levels.

t contracts to pull the malleus medially and stiffens the tympanic membrane. This action helps to reduce the movement and the force transmitted to the cochlea by dampening the vibrations of the auditory ossicles.

Particularly the malleus and the stapes, which could otherwise be overly stimulated by the loud sound waves.