Vestibular membrane

Vestibular membrane
Diagrammatic longitudinal section of the cochlea.
Cross section of the cochlea.
Details
Latin	membrana vestibularis ductus cochlearis
Dorlands /Elsevier	p_06/12615626
*Anatomical terminology* [edit on Wikidata]

The vestibular membrane, vestibular wall or Reissner's membrane, is a membrane inside the cochlea of the inner ear. It separates the cochlear duct from the vestibular duct. Together with the basilar membrane it creates a compartment in the cochlea filled with endolymph, which is important for the function of the spiral organ of Corti. It primarily functions as a diffusion barrier, allowing nutrients to travel from the perilymph to the endolymph of the membranous labyrinth.

Histologically, the membrane is composed of two layers of flattened epithelium, separated by a basal lamina. Its structure suggests that its function is transport of fluid and electrolytes.

Reissner's membrane is named after German anatomist Ernst Reissner (1824-1878).

Additional images

Floor of cochlear duct.
Spiral limbus and basilar membrane.

External links

Anatomy of hearing and balance

Outer ear

Auricle
- helix
- antihelix
- tragus
- antitragus
- intertragic notch
- earlobe
Ear canal
Auricular muscles
Eardrum
- umbo
- pars flaccida

Middle ear

Tympanic cavity	Medial structures oval window round window secondary tympanic membrane prominence of facial canal promontory of tympanic cavity Posterior structures mastoid cells aditus to mastoid antrum pyramidal eminence

Ossicles	Malleus superior ligament lateral ligament anterior ligament Incus superior ligament posterior ligament Stapes annular ligament Muscles stapedius tensor tympani

Auditory tube / Eustachian tube	Torus tubarius

Inner ear/
(membranous labyrinth,
bony labyrinth)

Auditory system/
Cochlear labyrinth

General cochlea	Vestibular duct Helicotrema Tympanic duct Modiolus Cochlear cupula

Perilymphatic space	Perilymph Cochlear aqueduct

Cochlear duct / scala media	Reissner's/vestibular membrane Basilar membrane Reticular membrane Endolymph Stria vascularis Spiral ligament Organ of Corti stereocilia tip links Tectorial membrane Sulcus spiralis externus internus Spiral limbus

Cells	Claudius cell Boettcher cell

Vestibular system/
Vestibular labyrinth

Vestibule	Utricle macula Saccule macula Kinocilium Otolith Vestibular aqueduct endolymphatic duct endolymphatic sac Ductus reuniens

Semicircular canals	Superior semicircular canal Posterior semicircular canal Horizontal semicircular canal Ampullary cupula Ampullae crista ampullaris

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