Which structure in the skull houses the tympanic membrane?

The structure in the skull that houses the tympanic membrane is the external acoustic meatus. This passage leads from the outer ear to the tympanic membrane, commonly known as the eardrum. The tympanic membrane serves as a barrier between the outer ear and the middle ear, playing a crucial role in hearing by vibrating in response to sound waves.

In contrast, the internal acoustic meatus is primarily responsible for transmitting nerves from the inner ear to the brain and does not contain the tympanic membrane. The middle ear is where the ossicles (tiny bones) are located and is involved in sound transmission but does not directly house the tympanic membrane itself. The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx and helps equalize pressure but is not a location for the tympanic membrane. Therefore, the external acoustic meatus is the only structure directly associated with housing the tympanic membrane.