Perilymph

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Cross-section of cochlea. Perilymph is located in the scala tympani and scala vestibuli - the aqua regions at the top and bottom of the diagram.

Perilymph is an extracellular fluid located within the cochlea (part of the ear) in 2 of its 3 compartments; the scala tympani and scala vestibuli. The ionic composition of perilymph is comparable to that of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. The major cation of perilymph is sodium.

1 Perilymph vs. endolymph
2 Clinical significance
3 External links
4 References

Perilymph vs. endolymph

The third compartment of the ear, the cochlear duct (or scala media) contains endolymph. Perilymph and endolymph have unique ionic compositions suited to their functions in regulating electrochemical impulses of hair cells. The electric potential of endolymph is ~80-90 mV more positive than perilymph.^[1]

Clinical significance

It has also been suggested that perilymph and endolymph participate in a unidirectional flow that is interrupted in Meniere's disease.

External links

http://oto.wustl.edu/cochlea/intro3.htm

References

↑ Konishi T, Hamrick PE, Walsh PJ (1978). "Ion transport in guinea pig cochlea. I. Potassium and sodium transport". Acta Otolaryngol. 86 (1-2): 22-34. PMID 696294.

v • d • e Sensory system: Auditory and Vestibular systems
Outer ear	pinna (Helix, Antihelix, Tragus, Antitragus, Earlobe) • Ear canal
Middle ear	Eardrum (Umbo) • Ossicles (Malleus, Incus & Stapes) • muscles (Stapedius, Tensor tympani) • Eustachian tube (Torus tubarius)
Inner ear/Labyrinth	Bony labyrinth (Vestibule) • Membranous labyrinth Oval window • Helicotrema • Round window Cochlea: Spiral ganglion • Modiolus • Cochlear duct/scala media (Endolymph, Stria vascularis, Spiral ligament, Organ of Corti) • Scala vestibuli and Scala tympani (Perilymph) Reissner's/vestibular membrane • Basilar membrane • Tectorial membrane Organ of Corti: Hair cells • Stereocilia • Sulcus spiralis (externus, internus) • Limbus spiralis
Vestibular system	Static/translations: Utricle (Macula) - Saccule (Macula, Endolymphatic sac, Endolymphatic duct) - Kinocilium - Otolith Kinetic/rotations: Semicircular canals (Superior, Posterior, Horizontal) • Cupula • Ampullae (Crista ampullaris)
Brain (auditory)	Cochlear nerve ^VIII → Cochlear nuclei → Trapezoid body → Superior olivary nuclei → Lateral lemniscus → Inferior colliculi → Medial geniculate nuclei → Primary auditory cortex