tympanum vs middle ear

tympanum and middle ear both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
tympanum	Yes	No	No	No
middle ear	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, tympanum and middle ear are synonyms defined as:

tympanum and middle ear: the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear

Other synonyms of tympanum include tympanic cavity.

tympanum (noun)	middle ear (noun)
a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it	the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear
the membrane in the ear that vibrates to sound
the main cavity of the ear; between the eardrum and the inner ear