Of these the limbal zone is the thinnest (transversally) and overlies the auditory teeth of Huschke with its inside edge attached to the spiral limbus.

Of these proteins α-tectorin and β-tectorin form the striated sheet matrix that regularly organises the collagen fibres.

The mechanical role of the tectorial membrane in hearing is yet to be fully understood, and traditionally was neglected or downplayed in many models of the cochlea.

However, recent genetic[9][10][11] , mechanical[7][8][12] and mathematical[13] studies have highlighted the importance of the TM for healthy auditory function in mammals.

[13] MIT research correlates the TM with the ability of the human ear to hear faint noises.