[Scanning electron microscopy studies of the structure of tissue in the cochlear opening of the cochlear aqueduct]

The structure of the internal and external tissue of the cochlear opening of the cochlear aquaeduct was examined by light microscopy on semithin sections and by scanning electron microscopy. The whole area is filled with a net of mesenchymal cells. The cell axes are randomly orientated inside the aquaeduct. On the outside of the cochlear aquaeduct fibrocytic tissue fills a space which is triangular in cross-section between the basal part of the cochlea wall of the tympanic scala and the middle portion of the round window membrane. In this area the direction of the net is uniform and it gives the impression of anchorage of the round window membrane on the perilymphatic side. The rim bordering the perilymphatic space is a dense net but not fully closed. The scanning electron microscopic pictures taken perpendicular to this border structure show clearly a texture of mesenchymal cells with open spaces. No closed "membrana limitans" was found. The possible function of the fixation of the round window membrane to the perilymphatic space giving rise to an asymmetric perilymph movement is discussed with regard to the physiology of sound transmission.