The volume density of cells and capillaries of the normal stria vascularis

The purpose of this study was to provide morphometric (i.e. quantitative anatomical) data on the normal chinchilla stria vascularis. Five normal chinchillas were used in the present investigation and four regions of the cochlea were examined in each animal. The width, radial area and number of marginal cells across the stria's width increased from the cochlear apex toward the base. The increase in strial width and area appeared to be due to hyperplasia of the marginal cells. The mean total endolymphatic surface area of the stria vascularis was estimated to be 7.4 mm2 (S.E. = 1.23). The mean total volume of the stria vascularis was estimated to be 0.15 microliter (S.E. = 0.01). In addition, using a stereological method we found that the volume density of the cells and capillaries of the stria vascularis was constant along the length of the scala media. The mean (+/- S.E.) volume density of the stria cells and capillaries was estimated to be: marginal cells = 0.528 (0.013), intermediate cells = 0.212 (0.026), basal cells = 0.163 (0.009) and capillaries = 0.097 (0.009).