What does the tympanic membrane refer to?

The tympanic membrane is commonly referred to as the ear drum. It is a thin, conical structure that separates the external ear from the middle ear and plays a crucial role in the process of hearing. When sound waves enter the ear canal, they cause the tympanic membrane to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the ossicles (the tiny bones in the middle ear) and subsequently to the inner ear, where they are converted into nerve signals that the brain interprets as sound. This highlights the tympanic membrane's essential function in the auditory system.

The other options pertain to different anatomical structures: the cornea is a part of the eye, the skin is the body’s largest organ, and heart valves are structures within the heart that regulate blood flow. None of these are related to the function or anatomy of the tympanic membrane.