XI Structural Evidence of Secretion in the Stria Vascularis

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Abstract
Morphological evidence of secretion in the stria vascularis is presented. Electronmicroscopy sections of the stria revealed large vacuoles appearing to open into the endolymph from the strial surface. In other areas of the dark cell cytoplasm, finely granulated osmophilic material was seen. In cochleas fixed without opening the cochlear duct, these same granulations were seen in the endolymphatic space. After Diamox [ocetazolamide] administration, there was a decreased number of vacuoles in the stria, indicating a possible association of carbonic anhydrase with the formation of these vacuoles. Since potassium in the endolymph was also decreased after Diamox, it is suggested that these vacuoles might act in some unknown fashion as carriers of K to the endolymph. The pattern of unit membrane at the strial surface is the only structural evidence for a possible resorptive function.