Vestibular membrane
The vestibular membrane, vestibular wall or Reissner's membrane, is a membrane inside the cochlea of the inner ear. It separates the cochlear duct from the vestibular duct. Together with the basilar membrane, it creates a compartment in the cochlea filled with endolymph, which is important for the function of the spiral organ of Corti. It primarily functions as a diffusion barrier, allowing nutrients to travel from the perilymph to the endolymph of the membranous labyrinth.
| Vestibular membrane | |
|---|---|
 Cross-section of the cochlea showing the position of the vestibular membrane. | |
 Cross-section of the cochlea at higher magnification showing the membrane (here labelled "Reissner's membrane") | |
| Details | |
| Pronunciation | English: /ˈraɪsnər/ |
| Location | Cochlea of the inner ear |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | membrana vestibularis ductus cochlearis |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Histologically, the membrane is composed of two layers of flattened epithelium, separated by a basal lamina. Its structure suggests that its function is transport of fluid and electrolytes.
Reissner's membrane is named after German anatomist Ernst Reissner (1824-1878).
Additional images
Floor of cochlear duct.
Spiral limbus and basilar membrane.
External links
- Histology at KUMC eye_ear-ear03
- UIUC Histology Subject 76
- Overview at University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Image at University of New England, Maine
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