鼓膜(こまく)

こまく
noun
eardrum; tympanic membrane
body-internalhealth
1. eardrum; tympanic membrane
The thin membrane inside the ear that vibrates in response to sound waves, enabling hearing.
鼓膜(こまく)が破(やぶ)れた。
My eardrum ruptured.
大(おお)きな音(おと)で鼓膜(こまく)を傷(きず)つけることがある。
Loud sounds can damage the eardrum.
耳(みみ)の奥(おく)が痛(いた)かったので病院(びょういん)に行(い)ったら、鼓膜(こまく)に炎症(えんしょう)が起(お)きていると言(い)われた。
I went to the hospital because deep inside my ear hurt, and I was told there was inflammation of the eardrum.

A compound of 鼓(こ) (drum) and 膜(まく) (membrane). The name reflects the drum-like shape and vibrating function of this thin tissue. The eardrum is a common topic in everyday health conversations, especially regarding ear infections (中耳炎(ちゅうじえん)), pressure changes during flights, and noise exposure.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 耳(みみ): ear — the organ as a whole
  • 中耳(ちゅうじ): middle ear — the cavity behind the eardrum
  • 内耳(ないじ): inner ear — the deeper part containing the cochlea and balance organs

Related Words

Compare: 耳(みみ) (ear)
Compare: 聴神経 (auditory nerve)
general
Added 2026.4.28 23:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25500/25978_komaku