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I'm reading a lecture on the ear today for neuroscience class, and I noticed that the tensor tympani is connected to the eardrum. Wiki claims that a small number of people have voluntary control of this muscle. The people who can voluntarily contract it will experience a rumbling sound.
It evidently uses cranial nerve V, while the stapedius muscle right next to it uses cranial nerve VII. I wonder if a spot on the motor homunculus maps to this muscle, or if there's another routing.
Is voluntary control of this muscle common or rare?
I'm curious about this because I've always been able to flex this muscle, and I'm wondering what nerve wiring makes it possible, or prevents it from working in some people.
As the ability or lack of it has no health consequences, I don't think my question is asking for medical advice.
It evidently uses cranial nerve V, while the stapedius muscle right next to it uses cranial nerve VII. I wonder if a spot on the motor homunculus maps to this muscle, or if there's another routing.
Is voluntary control of this muscle common or rare?
I'm curious about this because I've always been able to flex this muscle, and I'm wondering what nerve wiring makes it possible, or prevents it from working in some people.
As the ability or lack of it has no health consequences, I don't think my question is asking for medical advice.
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