tympanums

Sound-vibrating ear parts

Tympanums is the plural of tympanum, a formal or technical term for eardrum—the membrane that vibrates in response to sound waves.

In architecture, a tympanum is the triangular or semicircular space enclosed by a pediment or arch, often decorated with sculpture or relief: The tympanum above the cathedral door depicted the Last Judgment.

The plural tympana is also used, especially in scholarly contexts.

musical

kettledrum

Tunable orchestral drum

timpaniTunable orchestral percussion
percussionSound through impact
orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble

mallet · tuning · copper · drumhead · pedal · resonance · pitch · symphony · strike · roll

anatomical

eardrum

Inner auditory membrane

middle earSound-conducting body chamber
membraneThin tissue sheet
vibrationRapid oscillating movement

ossicles · hearing · malleus · cochlea · auditory · otitis · perforation · pressure · sound · otoscope

architectural

pediment

Triangular architectural crowning element

gableTriangular wall portion
porticoColumned covered entryway
friezeOrnamental architectural band

cornice · temple · facade · triangular · Greek · Roman · entablature · relief · sculpture · classical

Opposites

anatomical function

tympanumscochleae

Spiral hearing organs

inner ears · auditory nerves

architectural position

tympanumsfoundations

Structural bases below ground

basements · columns · cornices · friezes · plinths

Family

tympanum

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G