human anatomy The human body is the structure of a human being. It is composed of many different types of cells that together create tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the viability of the human body. It comprises a head ...

, 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 sound from the ai ...

, 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 (ex ...

. On the inner surface of the tympanic membrane, the

chorda tympani The chorda tympani is a branch of the facial nerve that originates from the taste buds in the front of the tongue, runs through the middle ear, and carries taste messages to the brain. It joins the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) inside the facia ...

crosses this area. The name ''Shrapnell's membrane'' refers to

Henry Jones Shrapnell Henry Jones Shrapnell (1792–1834) was an English anatomist. For a period of time during his career he was a colleague to Edward Jenner (1749–1823), creator of the vaccine for smallpox. Shrapnell is remembered for his pioneer work in otology. ...

, and the name ''Rivinus' ligament'' to

Augustus Quirinus Rivinus Augustus Quirinus Rivinus (9 December 1652 – 20 December 1723), also known as August Bachmann or A. Q. Bachmann, was a German physician and botanist who helped to develop better ways of classifying plants. Life and work Rivinus was born in L ...

References

Auditory system {{anatomy-stub