Umbo

Umbo is a term used in anatomy and zoology, referring to a protruding part, often at the center of a concave structure. The term is derived from the Latin word for a boss on a shield.

Anatomy

In human anatomy, the umbo refers to the most depressed point of the eardrum, or tympanic membrane. It is located at the end of the manubrium of the malleus, one of the three tiny bones in the ear that transmit sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. The umbo is the point of maximum concavity of the eardrum, and it is an important landmark in otoscopic examination of the ear.

Zoology

In zoology, the term umbo is used to refer to a protruding part of a shell, often located at its apex. This is particularly common in bivalve shells, where the umbo is often the oldest part of the shell, representing the point from which the shell started to grow. The umbo can be a useful feature in identifying different species of bivalves.

See also

• Tympanic membrane
• Malleus
• Bivalve

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