This is a spine-like projection of the bone at the infero-anterior margin to the opening of the external acoustic meatus.

Minor is from the Greek meion meaning lesser. There is no clear evidence of the mention of the tympanic membrane or eardrum in ancient anatomical history. It was first described in the literature in 1255 by Albertus Magnus. He named it the tympanum auris because of its resemblance to a drum. It comes from the Greek word tympanon meaning drum. Spine comes from the Latin spina meaning a thorn. Anatomists use the term to designate pointed projections of bone.