ANATOMY OF INNER EAR

 The inner(internal) ear is called as labyrinth,

from the complexity of its shape.

 It consists of two parts:

1. The bony labyrinth: A series of cavities within

the petrous part of the temporal bone.

2. The membranous labyrinth: A series of

communicating membranous sacs and ducts,
contained within the bony cavities.
Bony(osseous) labyrinth
 The bony labyrinth consists of 3
parts:

1. Cochlea: anteriorly
2. Vestibule: middle
3. Semicircular canals: posteriorly
 Cochlea

 Aspiral shaped flud

i filled
structure

 Coiled tube making

2.5 to 2.75 turns around
a central pyramid of
bone= Modiolus
 Basal turn of cochlea  bony bulge in
the
medial wall of middle ear= Promontory
 Bony Cochlea contains 3 compartments:

1. Scala vestibuli: closed by stapes footplate,

contains perilymph
2. Scala tympani: closed by secondary
membrane, contains perilymph.
3. Scala media (membranous
cochlea):endolymph
Scala tympani is connected to subarachnoid
space through aqueduct of cochlea
Scala vestibule and scala tympani connects to each
other at the apex of cochlea  Helicotrema
 The Vestibule
 It is central part of the bony labyrinth, and is situated medial to
the tympanic cavity, behind the cochlea, and in front of the
semicircular canals.

 In its lateral or tympanic wall is the fenestra vestibuli,

closed by the base of the stapes and annular ligament.
 Two recesses:

1. Spherical recess: lodges

Saccule 2. Elliptical
recess: lodges Utricle

 Below elliptical recess is the

opening of
aqueduct of vestibule through which
Vestibule
 passes the has 5
endolymphatic 3 Semicircular
duct
openings of canals( SCC)
 Semicircular canals(SCC)
• 3 in numbers:

Lateral(horizon
tal)
 Posterior
 Superior

 Lies at right angles

to each other
 Each canal has an ampullated end and non-
ampullated end
 Non-ampullated ends of PSCC and SSCC unite o
t
form a common channel  C r u s commune
Membranous labyrinth

 Series of communicating sacs and ducts

 Filled with endolymph
 Within walls epithelium,specialized to form sensory
receptors of cochlear and vestibular labyrinth

 It consists of
1. Cochlear duct
2. Utricle and saccule
3. Semicircular ducts
4. Endolymphatic duct and sac
 Cochlear duct(membranous cochlea)
 Blind coiled tube
 Triangular on cross section

 3 walls:-
1. Basilar membrane: supports organ of corti
2. Reissner’s membrane (Roof of cochlear
duct) separates it from scala vestibuli
3. Stria vascularis: contains vascular
epithelium.
secrets

endolymph
Organ of Corti:
contains auditory
sensory cells and
complex arrangement
of supporting cells

 Hair cells – inner and

outer
 Stereocilia or “hairs”
 electircal
impulse(sound) are
sent along the
auditory(cochlear)
nerve to the brain
Cochlear Hair Cells

Cylindrical shaped
Flask-shaped
 Utricle and saccule

 Macula (Sensory epithelium): concerned with

balance i.e. linear acceleration and position of
head in response to gravity

Semicircular ducts
3 in numbers
 Ampulated and non-ampulated end
 Ampulated end of each duct contains
neuroepithelium: crista ampularis
concerned with balance i.e. Angular
acceleration
 Endolymphatic duct and
sac
 Formed by the union of 2 ducts, one each from the
saccule and utricule

 Endolymphatic duct passes through the vestibular

aqueductterminal part dilated to form endolymphatic
sac

 Endolymphatic sac lies between the two layers of Dura

Peripheral receptors of auditory
and vestibular system
Peripheral receptors of auditory pathway:
Organ of Corti: cochlear hair cells

Peripheral receptors of vestibular

pathway: 1.Cristae: located in ampullated
ends of 3
Semicircular ducts
-responds to angular
acceleration 2.Maculae:
Located in otolith organs(i.e.
utricle and saccule)
-sense position of head in response to gravity
and linear acceleration
 Vestibular Hair Cells
Type I vestibular cells: compare with inner cochlear hair cells (in Organ of
corti)-flask(cup)shaped
Type II vestibular cells: compare with outer cochlear hair cells-cylindrical
 VENOUS DRAINAGE

1. Internal auditory
vein
2. Vein of cochlear
aqueduct
Drain into
3. Vein of
vestibular petrosal and
aqueduct sigmoid
sinuses
 CLINICAL ANATOMY

1. Acoustic neuroma …tumor of Schwann

cells of VIII nerve

If it extends into internal auditory

Meatus……. VII CN paralysis

• Endolymph require melanocytes…this

disorder albinism associated with
deafness