What is the tympanic membrane commonly known as?

The tympanic membrane is commonly known as the eardrum. This term reflects its function and location within the ear. The eardrum is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear and plays a crucial role in the hearing process. When sound waves hit the eardrum, it vibrates and transmits these vibrations to the ossicles in the middle ear, which then continue to transmit sound to the inner ear, facilitating hearing.

The other terms in the question refer to different parts of the ear. The ear canal is the passage through which sound waves travel to reach the eardrum. The middle ear is the chamber containing the eardrum and the ossicles, while the inner ear contains the cochlea and the vestibular system, which are involved in hearing and balance, respectively. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the tympanic membrane is specifically referred to as the eardrum.