epitympanic recess

{{Short description|Hollow located on the superior/roof aspect of the middle ear}}

{{Infobox anatomy

| Name = Epitympanic recess

| Latin = recessus epitympanicus

| Image = Gray912.png

| Caption = The right membrana tympani with the hammer and the chorda tympani, viewed from within, from behind, and from above. (Epitympanic recess labeled at upper right.)

| Image2 = Gray914.png

| Caption2 = The medial wall and part of the posterior and anterior walls of the right tympanic cavity, lateral view.

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The epitympanic recess is the portion of the tympanic cavity (of the middle ear) situated superior to the tympanic membrane.{{Cite book |last=Sinnatamby |first=Chummy S. |title=Last's Anatomy |publisher= |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7295-3752-0 |edition=12th |pages=}}{{Rp|page=414}} The recess lodges the head of malleus, and the body of incus.{{Rp|page=416}}

The mastoid antrum is situated posterior to the recess and opens into the recess at the posterior wall of the recess via the aditus to mastoid antrum.{{Rp|page=416}} The ampulla of the lateral semicircular canal creates a prominence upon the medial wall of the recess.{{Rp|page=420}}