In the middle ear, there are two primary muscles that tend to serve the function of protection for the structure. These muscles are known as the stapedius and the tensor tympani. These muscles happen to contract when there is a loud noise. As a response to that, the vibrations traveling the ossicles are inhibited. Hence, the effect of the sound transmission into the inner ear is pretty much reduced. This particular action is called an acoustic reflex. The muscle of the tensor tympani actually originates from the middle ear’s auditory tube and it attaches itself to the handle of the malleus. This muscle then pulls the malleus handle medially during the contracting process. The nerve supply of the muscle is provided by the tensor tympani nerve. The facial nerve is responsible for the innervation of the stapedius.