Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructure of the stria vascularis and Reissner's membrane in experimental hydrops. 1987

F W Albers, and J C de Groot, and J E Veldman, and E H Huizing

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.

A time-sequence study was made of the early ultrastructural changes of the stria vascularis and Reissner's membrane in the guinea pig after obliteration of the endolymphatic sac and duct. Pathological alterations of both the stria vascularis and Reissner's membrane were found to start in the apex of the cochlea. The morphological changes of the stria vascularis were characterized by an increase of vesicles in the marginal cells and by intercellular edema, followed by vacuolization and atrophy of marginal and intermediate cells. In Reissner's membrane extensive gaps in the mesothelial cell layer were observed together with intracellular pathology of the epithelial cells. The significance of these ultrastructural changes in the stria vascularis and Reissner's membrane with regard to the pathophysiology of the endolymphatic hydrops is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003051	Cochlea	The part of the inner ear (LABYRINTH) that is concerned with hearing. It forms the anterior part of the labyrinth, as a snail-like structure that is situated almost horizontally anterior to the VESTIBULAR LABYRINTH.	Cochleas
D004487	Edema	Abnormal fluid accumulation in TISSUES or body cavities. Most cases of edema are present under the SKIN in SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE.	Dropsy,Hydrops,Anasarca
D004711	Endolymphatic Duct	The part of the membranous labyrinth that traverses the bony vestibular aqueduct and emerges through the bone of posterior cranial fossa (CRANIAL FOSSA, POSTERIOR) where it expands into a blind pouch called the endolymphatic sac.	Duct, Endolymphatic,Ducts, Endolymphatic,Endolymphatic Ducts
D005260	Female		Females
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013316	Stria Vascularis	A layer of stratified EPITHELIUM forming the endolymphatic border of the cochlear duct at the lateral wall of the cochlea. Stria vascularis contains primarily three cell types (marginal, intermediate, and basal), and capillaries. The marginal cells directly facing the ENDOLYMPH are important in producing ion gradients and endochoclear potential.	Vascularis, Stria