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Electroanatomy of the lateral wall of the cochlea

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Summary

Metabolically, the most active membrane in the stria vascularis is the marginal cell membrane adjacent to the intermediate cells. It is probably at this site that K+ ions are actively transported in and Cl− ions are actively transported out by the Na+⇄K+, K+⇄H+, and Cl− ion pumps. Support for this hypothesis was derived from the work of other authors, from our own earlier results and the ex-perimental results presented in this paper. Our experiments indicate that the marginal cells of the stria vascularis facing the endolymphatic space have a positive intracellular potential similar to the potential of the scala media. Therefore, the major portion of the active ion transport takes place on the intermediate cell side of the marginal cells. The pumping mechanisms, localized in this membrane, are responsible for the generation of the positive endocochlear potential (EP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    J. Prazma

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  1. J. Prazma
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The author expresses his gratitude for the excellent technical assistance of John B. Pecorak. This investigation was supported by the National Institutes of Health Program project grant No. 50R01-NS09987-02. Appreciation is also ex-tended to Dr. D. A. Hilding for stimulating discussion.

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Prazma, J. Electroanatomy of the lateral wall of the cochlea. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 209, 1–13 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00454023

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