Within it sit the ossicles, three small bones that transmit vibrations used in the detection of sound.

On its lateral surface, it abuts the external auditory meatus (ear canal) from which it is separated by the tympanic membrane (eardrum).

The tympanic cavity is bounded by: It is formed from the tubotympanic recess, an expansion of the first pharyngeal pouch.

Should fluid accumulate within the middle ear as the result of infection or for some other reason, it can be drained by puncturing the tympanic membrane with a large bore needle (tympanocentesis).

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1037 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)