Loading AI tools
Extracellular fluid located within the inner ear From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Perilymph is an extracellular fluid located within the inner ear. It is found within the scala tympani and scala vestibuli of the cochlea. The ionic composition of perilymph is comparable to that of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. The major cation in perilymph is sodium, with the values of sodium and potassium concentration in the perilymph being 138 mM and 6.9 mM, respectively.[1] It is also named Cotunnius' liquid and liquor cotunnii for Domenico Cotugno.
| Perilymph | |
|---|---|
Cross-section of cochlea. Perilymph is located in the scala vestibuli and scala tympani - the aqua regions at the top and bottom of the diagram. | |
 Cross-section of semi-circular canal and duct showing perilymphatic space | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | perilympha |
| MeSH | D010498 |
| TA98 | A15.3.03.056 |
| TA2 | 6938 |
| FMA | 60908 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The inner ear has two major parts, the cochlea and the vestibular organ. They are connected in a series of canals in the temporal bone referred to as the bony labyrinth. The bone canals are separated by the membranes in parallel spaces referred to as the membranous labyrinth. The membranous labyrinth contains endolymph, and is surrounded by perilymph.[2] The perilymph in the bony labyrinth serves as connection to the cerebrospinal fluid of the subarachnoid space via the perilymphatic duct.[3]
Perilymph and endolymph have unique ionic compositions suited to their functions in regulating electrochemical impulses of hair cells necessary for hearing. The electric potential of endolymph is ~80-90 mV more positive than perilymph due to a higher concentration of potassium cations (K+) in endolymph and higher sodium (Na+) in perilymph.[4] This is referred to as the endocochlear potential.[5]
Perilymph is the fluid contained within the bony labyrinth, surrounding and protecting the membranous labyrinth; perilymph resembles extracellular fluid in composition (sodium salts are the predominant positive electrolyte) and, via the cochlear aqueduct (sometimes referred to as the "perilymphatic duct"), is in continuity with cerebrospinal fluid.
Endolymph is the fluid contained within the scala media of the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear and within the semicircular canals of the vestibular apparatus; endolymph resembles intracellular fluid in composition (potassium is the main cation).
Apart from the importance in the electric cochlear potential, the perilymph also contains a large number of proteins, e.g. extracellular enzymes and immunoglobulins. These proteins are important for the immune response and metabolism among others physiological functions.[6]
It has also been suggested that perilymph and endolymph participate in a unidirectional flow that is interrupted in Ménière's disease.
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
