THE SENSE OF HEARING. 



251 



passes nearly horizontally backward to the tympanic cavity ; just 

 opposite to the fenestra ovalis its tendon bends at a right angle 

 over the processus cochleariformis, and then passes outward across 

 the cavity, to be inserted into the angle of the malleus near the neck. 

 The stapedius muscle emerges from the cavity of a pyramid of 

 bone projecting from the posterior wall of the tympanum ; the tendon 

 passes forward, and is inserted into the neck of the stapes bone, pos- 

 teriorly, near its point of articulation with the incus. 



A.G. 



AUDITORY OSSICLES (LEFT) MAGNIFIED 



The laxator tympani muscle, so called, is now generally regarded 

 as being ligamentous in nature, and not muscular. 



The Eustachian tube, by means of which a free communication 

 is established between the middle ear and the pharynx, is partly 



