Does the tympanic membrane have a natural opening? The historical saga of the foramen of Rivinus

Abstract

Objectives: From the end of the 17th century until well into the 20th century, the question of whether the tympanic membrane possesses a natural opening or not in its normal state has been the subject of much controversy. The aim of this study was to go back to the original documents describing this tympanic foramen, and to follow through the centuries the various controversies and discussions surrounding the presence or not of this foramen.

Data sources: Selected otological textbooks and articles from the end of the 17th century until the second part of the 20th century.

Review method: Historical.

Results: This study demonstrates the tenacity of the human brain in its regular review of questions that seem to have been answered, even when universal acceptation of said answer is almost present. The controversy around the foramen of Rivinus spanned nearly 300 years, until the mid-20th century.

Conclusions: The introduction of the regular use of an ear microscope to practice otoscopy gave the definitive answer: the tympanic membrane does not have a natural opening in its normal state.

Level of evidence: NA.

Keywords: History; Rivinus; otology; tympanic membrane opening.