Perilymph production and cochlear blood flow

Abstract

In rodents at least, the main sources of the perilymph fluid are (1) influx of CSF through the cochlear aqueduct, and (2) blood flow dependent local production within the cochlea. Experimental data are presented that give a ratio of 22:78 percent for those sources. The perilymph production thus derives mainly from the cochlear blood flow. It is concluded that measurements of the perilymph production can be used as indirect measurements of the inner ear blood flow under various experimental conditions. Two experimental examples are referred to.