Origin: Auditory tube and greater wing of sphenoid bone.
Action: Tenses tympanic membrane, moves base of stapes into the vestibular (oval) window.
Innervation: Nerve to medial pterygoid muscle (CN V3).
Arterial Supply: Superior tympanic artery.
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The tensor tympani muscle arises from the cartilaginous region of the auditory (pharyngotympanic or Eustachian) tube, as well as the greater wing of the sphenoid bone.
The tensor tympani muscle travels within its own canal and inserts into the handle of the malleus.
Upon contraction, the tensor tympani muscle moves the handle of the malleus in a medial direction, which dampens sound vibrations due to the tightening of the tympanic membrane.
The tensor tympani and the stapedius are both involved the acoustic reflex. This reflex contracts the muscles and helps prevent movement of the ossicles before the sound waves reach the inner ear.
