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Jaw membrane in ancient Thrinaxodon may be an early eardrum (Level A1) — a close up of a mushroom on a black background

Jaw membrane in ancient Thrinaxodon may be an early eardrumCEFR A1

30 Dec 2025

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Adapted from U. Chicago, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by Erdei Gréta, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
72 words
  • Thrinaxodon is an ancient animal from very long ago.
  • It lived long ago alongside early dinosaurs at times.
  • It had a thin membrane tucked into jaw crook.
  • That membrane could work like an eardrum to hear.
  • Models show the membrane would pick up airborne sound.
  • This hearing was better than only bone conduction alone.
  • Scientists used CT scans and engineering simulations on fossils.
  • The study changes when sensitive hearing first evolved overall.

Difficult words

  • ancient — from a very long time ago
  • membrane — a thin soft layer on a body part
  • eardrum — thin part inside the ear that hears
  • fossil — hard remains of a plant or animal
    fossils
  • evolve — to change slowly over time
    evolved
  • hearing — the sense that detects sounds

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Have you ever seen a fossil?
  • Do you think good hearing is important for animals?
  • Do you like to listen to sounds outside?

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