[TA] muscle of auditory ossicles; origin, the cartilaginous part of the pharyngotympanic (auditory) tube and the walls of its hemicanal just above the bony portion of the pharyngotympanic tube; insertion, handle of malleus; action, draws the handle of the malleus medially tensing the tympanic membrane to protect it from excessive vibration by loud sounds. nerve supply, branches of trigeminal through the otic ganglion. SYN: musculus tensor tympani [TA], tensor (muscle) of tympanic membrane, Toynbee muscle.