FIG. 1.

3D image of the TM of a gerbil (G2, right ear) within its bony support seen from the middle-ear side. In B, the TM was not drawn, revealing better the bony support. Relevant structures were annotated. In C–I, cross-sections of the model are shown with planes perpendicular to the annulus. In C–F, we look in a superior to inferior direction (from the PF down to the PT) at sections with planes perpendicular to the manubrium; parts in front of the section plane were removed. In the sections, the bone and the TM are outlined with solid lines. The locations were slices were made are shown in A. C Slices at a level at about the center of the PF, D at the level of the PB of the manubrium (neck of the malleus is visible), E at a midmanubrium level, and F at a level below the malleus tip. G–I The three sections parallel to the manubrium: G cuts anterior to the malleus, H along the center line of the manubrium, and I posterior to the manubrium. Further description can be found in the text.