human anatomy Human anatomy (gr. ἀνατομία, "dissection", from ἀνά, "up", and τέμνειν, "cut") is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross ...

, the pars flaccida of tympanic membrane or Shrapnell's membrane (also known as Rivinus' ligament) is the small, triangular, flaccid portion of the

tympanic membrane In the anatomy of humans and various other tetrapods, the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane or myringa, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit changes in pressur ...

, or eardrum. It lies above the malleolar folds attached directly to the petrous bone at the

notch of Rivinus {{Technical, date=November 2013 The Notch of Rivinus is a small defect in the posterior edge of the bony annular tympanic ring. The defect is located just superior to the tympano-mastoid suture line in the posterior ear canal The ear canal (e ...

. On the inner surface of the tympanic membrane, the

chorda tympani Chorda tympani is a branch of the facial nerve that carries gustatory (taste) sensory innervation from the front of the tongue and parasympathetic ( secretomotor) innervation to the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. Chorda tymp ...

crosses this area. The name ''Shrapnell's membrane'' refers to Henry Jones Shrapnell, and the name ''Rivinus' ligament'' to Augustus Quirinus Rivinus.

References

Auditory system {{anatomy-stub