Ruptured eardrum. The eardrum (tympanic membrane) has a large hole it in at upper right. A yellow trail of the protein keratin runs from the eardrum outwards along the external ear canal to upper right. This arises from an abnormal migratory pattern in the squamous epithelium that lines the ear. The eardrum (tympanic membrane) is a thin membrane that vibrates when sound waves contact it, and a series of small bones transmit the vibrations to the cochlea, where they are converted into nerve impulses that the brain interprets as sound. A severely ruptured eardrum can lead to temporary deafness, and may require surgical correction to repair.

Photo website with Rights Managed and Royalty Free stock photos, images, illustrations and footage available for download immediately for commercial and editorial uses. Aflo is a leading independent supplier and producer of stock pictures and visual content. Search and find high quality images and video for design, print, web-use and publishing. Buy photos from our extensive collection of model released and property released sports images. Search some of the most beautiful travel and landscape pictures from our own photographers and license from our large collection of content, modern and archive, focusing on Japan. We provide free research. Register for personal account management and for full use of our Stock Photography website and start to download images now.