Tympanum (anatomy)

The tympanum is an external hearing structure in animals such as mammals, birds, some reptiles, some amphibians and some insects.

[1] Using sound, vertebrates and many insects are capable of sensing their prey, identifying and locating their predators, warning other individuals, and locating potential mates and rivals by hearing the intentional or unintentional sounds they make.

This typically consists of a membrane capable of vibration known as the tympanum, an air-filled chamber and sensory organs to detect the auditory stimuli.

In frogs and toads, the tympanum is a large external oval shape membrane made up of nonglandular skin.

It does not process sound waves; it simply transmits them to the inner parts of the amphibian's ear, which is protected from the entry of water and other foreign objects.