Cochlear Physiology II: Blood Circulation and Homeostasis Flashcards
Anatomy Homeostasis Metabolism of both fluids EP generation and maintenance Recycling-gap junction Genetic hearing loss with Cx mutation
Which arteries supply blood to the ear? (5)
Subclavian arteries
Vertebral arteries
Basilar artery (vertebrobasilar system)
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
Internal auditory A (goes in interal auditory meatus
Where does the Internal auditory artery goes to? (5)
- It goes in the interal auditory meatus
- The Anterior vestibular artery
- Common cochlear artery
- Main cochlear artery
- Posterior vestibular artery
Which branch of the Basilar artery/internal auditory artery supplies the cochlea?
Main Cochlear Artery
Where does the cochlear artery passes by in the cochlea?
Spiral modiolar A
Describe the Spiral modiolar artery (3):
- Modiolar blood bed (supplies to SGNs)
- From the Radial A. to the lateral wall—stria vascularis and others
- It goes from the Capillary network to Collecting Vein to SMV back to larger vessels
Explain the contact between blood vessels and Organ of Corti
No direct contact between blood vessels and Organ of Corti (avoiding noise from blood flow)
Describe the 7 branches and their target
To corner between spiral ligament and RM (1):
To SV (2):
To spiral Prominence (3):
To Spiral ligament (4):
Spiral limbus (5):
VSBM +spiral lamina (6):
Spiral ganglion (7):
Describe the importance of the Capillary Bed in the lateral wall and its 4 parts :
The capillary bed in the stria vascularis is essential for solute homeostasis and preventing the influx of toxic substances into the inner ear
RA: radiating arterioles
SMA: spiral modiolar arteriole
SMV: spiral modiolar vein
CV: collecting venules
How do we study the blood flow in the cochlea?
We use silicone to mold and let dry
Explain the Capillary network the in lateral wall: (3)
- We can see two types of blood vessels
- Thick vessels in the spiral ligament provide a short circuit, to adjust the blood flow via stria vascularis.
- They serve as a shortcut when the energy is low in the cochlea
Explain the concept of Homeostasis :
Walter Cannon
Stability and dynamic of internal environment - where cells live
Big Change in external environment small variation internal environment
What are the special needs of the IE to maintain homeostasis?
Structures: three scalas, stria vascularis
Biochemistry: k transportation and distribution
Electrophysiology: Maintain Endocohlear potential
Which are the 3 types of cells in the Stria Vascularis?
Basal Cells
Intermediate Cells
Marginal Cells
Explain the tight junctions in the Stria Vascularis: (3)
- There is a tight junction along M cells and B cells, isolated space in St.V a Blood Labyrinth barrier (BLB) which material can’t get easily into the cochlea.
- The tight junction is important for the active transportation of k from the blood to endolymph.
- Recycling by fibrocytes via gap junction
Explain the tight junctions in the OC between the fluids:
- The tight junctions allow the separation between endolymph and perilymph.
- Helps to maintain the voltage difference across the top of HC of 140 mV between the two regions
What is special about the tight junction of the OC?
Tight junction does not allow anything to pass.
Across the OC, tight junction is formed at the level of reticular lamina NOT formed at the BM because it is impermeable
Describe Perilymph:
Perilymph similar to extracellular fluid (low K, High Na), gradient along the turns and differences between SV and ST
Connected to the CSF through Cochlear Acqueduct
Describe Endolymph:
Endolymph similar to intracellular fluid (high K, low Na), hyperosmotic, positive potential
Produced at the endolymphatic sac with the vestibule
Why is the High K in Endolymph important? (2)
For EP formation
For transduction
What is the role of the endolymphatic sac and what happens if there is damage to it?
Recycling of and Transportation of K
Cochlear Drops associated with Meiner’s desease
Explain the Similarities between the blood and perilymph barrier and the BBB:
The barrier is similar to the BBB seen in blood vessels: There are Pericytes among endothelial cells to form the barriers
Limitation of the blood barriers in the cochlea: Most of the material can get into the brain as compared to the cochlea
What are the roles of pericytes?
Cells are present along the walls of capillaries.
They are essential for blood vessel formation, maintenance of the BBB, regulation of immune cell entry to the CNS, and control of brain blood flow.
What is the meaning of the specificity of the barrier between blood and perilymph?
Specificity = The barrier selectively allows certain materials to pass, often related to special transportation system (i.e. by ion channels and transporter). Since those channels and transporters may be able to transport more than one material, there is competition between the materials: the transportation bias to the one with higher concentration and higher binding ability to the transporter.
Explain the EVIDENCE of the presence of a barrier between the blood and the perilymph: (3)
- Tracer kinetics: the tracer takes time to get into perilymph from the blood
- Ion differences between the two compartments
- Specificity and competitive inhibition: the existence of a special transportation system
How does the Perilymph gets generated?
Perilymph is generated locally and slowly and filtered from serum. The connection to CSF makes it easier to maintain the perilymph quantity.
What are the generation sites of perilymph?
supra-ligament area, and supra-limbus area
What are the reabsorption sites for perilymph?
below BM at the medial and lateral corner
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are chemicals that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. They regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood acidity etc.
What do Fybrocytis do?
Serve as local control of homeostasis, maintenance of biochemical status (the three regions in grey)